FIFA HAVE INSISTED that the $5 million they granted to the FAI in the wake of the Thierry Henry handball controversy was ‘a loan’.
And the world soccer body has also revealed this evening that the loan was to be repaid by the FAI if Ireland had qualified for last summer’s World Cup in Brazil.
Earlier today FAI boss John Delaney revealed on the Ray D’Arcy Show on RTÉ Radio 1 that Fifa had paid Ireland to not pursue a legal case over the incident in the 2009 World Cup playoff.
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The Fifa statement in full reads:
“On 18 November 2009, there was a play-off match between France and the Republic of Ireland for a place in the 2010 World Cup finals. During the match, a handball by France’s Thierry Henry led indirectly to a goal against the Irish team.
“Ireland did not qualify for the 2010 World Cup finals.
“While the Referee’s decision is final, and the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) ultimately accepted it as such, in January 2010 Fifa entered into an agreement with FAI in order to put an end to any claims against Fifa.
FAI boss John Delaney Donall Farmer / INPHO
Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO
“Fifa granted FAI a loan of USD 5 million for the construction of a stadium in Ireland. At the same time, UEFA also granted the FAI funds for the same stadium.
“The terms agreed between Fifa and the FAI were that the loan would be reimbursed if Ireland qualified for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
“Ireland did not so qualify. Because of this, and in view of the FAI’s financial situation, Fifa decided to write off the loan as per 31 December 2014.”
Now Fifa say that $5m payment to the FAI after Henry handball was 'a loan'
FIFA HAVE INSISTED that the $5 million they granted to the FAI in the wake of the Thierry Henry handball controversy was ‘a loan’.
And the world soccer body has also revealed this evening that the loan was to be repaid by the FAI if Ireland had qualified for last summer’s World Cup in Brazil.
Earlier today FAI boss John Delaney revealed on the Ray D’Arcy Show on RTÉ Radio 1 that Fifa had paid Ireland to not pursue a legal case over the incident in the 2009 World Cup playoff.
The Fifa statement in full reads:
“On 18 November 2009, there was a play-off match between France and the Republic of Ireland for a place in the 2010 World Cup finals. During the match, a handball by France’s Thierry Henry led indirectly to a goal against the Irish team.
“Ireland did not qualify for the 2010 World Cup finals.
“While the Referee’s decision is final, and the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) ultimately accepted it as such, in January 2010 Fifa entered into an agreement with FAI in order to put an end to any claims against Fifa.
“Fifa granted FAI a loan of USD 5 million for the construction of a stadium in Ireland. At the same time, UEFA also granted the FAI funds for the same stadium.
“The terms agreed between Fifa and the FAI were that the loan would be reimbursed if Ireland qualified for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
“Ireland did not so qualify. Because of this, and in view of the FAI’s financial situation, Fifa decided to write off the loan as per 31 December 2014.”
‘Fifa paid Ireland to stop legal case over Henry handball’ – John Delaney
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