KEVIN KILBANE HAS REFUTED accusations that Ireland’s players were told not to injure Lionel Messi in exchange for money during a 2010 friendly.
An article in Argentine newspaper La Nacion today reported that former Argentine Football Federation president had agreed to pay $10,000 each if they refrained from tackling the Barcelona talisman when the teams met at the Aviva Stadium five years ago.
“There was no suggestion around the game that we were to stay clear of Lionel Messi and none of the players received any money as payment regarding this,” Kilbane told TV3 News tonight. “It is news to me and I’m sure it will be to a lot of the other lads as well.
“We weren’t told in anyway before that game. To us, it was a big occasion because it was the opening of the Aviva. We lost the game with (Angel) Di Maria scoring the goal and it was a great occasion to be part of.
“We were going back to Lansdowne Road, where we felt our football home was, so for these sort of allegations to come out, it makes me feel a little bit uneasy.”
Kilbane is shoved off the ball by Messi back in 2010. Donall Farmer / INPHO
Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO
These latest claims follow on from recent revelations that the FAI received €5 million from Fifa after elimination from the 2010 World Cup play-off with France and Kilbane is disappointed with how the stories reflect on former players — despite the fact that they completely blameless.
“It is quite poor,” he added. “There have been a lot of allegations aimed at us over the past month or so. Mud sticks and it’s not nice when these allegations are being brought against the players as it’s questioning us as professionals and as people.
“It does seem to me like some has come up with a story where two and two makes ten. They have looked at what has happened over the past month and what sort of allegations have been made us and the have come up with a theory.”
'It makes me feel a little bit uneasy' - Kilbane rejects claims of Messi payment
KEVIN KILBANE HAS REFUTED accusations that Ireland’s players were told not to injure Lionel Messi in exchange for money during a 2010 friendly.
An article in Argentine newspaper La Nacion today reported that former Argentine Football Federation president had agreed to pay $10,000 each if they refrained from tackling the Barcelona talisman when the teams met at the Aviva Stadium five years ago.
The FAI dismissed the suggestions and revealed that they will consult their legal advisors about taking further action, while former utility man Kilbane, who started left full-back that evening, says the idea was never brought up.
“There was no suggestion around the game that we were to stay clear of Lionel Messi and none of the players received any money as payment regarding this,” Kilbane told TV3 News tonight. “It is news to me and I’m sure it will be to a lot of the other lads as well.
“We weren’t told in anyway before that game. To us, it was a big occasion because it was the opening of the Aviva. We lost the game with (Angel) Di Maria scoring the goal and it was a great occasion to be part of.
“We were going back to Lansdowne Road, where we felt our football home was, so for these sort of allegations to come out, it makes me feel a little bit uneasy.”
These latest claims follow on from recent revelations that the FAI received €5 million from Fifa after elimination from the 2010 World Cup play-off with France and Kilbane is disappointed with how the stories reflect on former players — despite the fact that they completely blameless.
“It is quite poor,” he added. “There have been a lot of allegations aimed at us over the past month or so. Mud sticks and it’s not nice when these allegations are being brought against the players as it’s questioning us as professionals and as people.
“It does seem to me like some has come up with a story where two and two makes ten. They have looked at what has happened over the past month and what sort of allegations have been made us and the have come up with a theory.”
Watch the full interview on TV3.ie
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Kevin Kilbane Killa Lionel Messi Argentina Ireland Republic