EX-IRELAND MANAGER Giovanni Trapattoni claims Sepp Blatter approached him to find a way to “forget” about Ireland’s controversial defeat to France in 2009.

The Italian, who was in charge of the Boys in Green when they lost out for a place at the 2010 World Cup, has spoken out after the recent revelations that Fifa paid the FAI €5m in the wake of the defeat.

“I met Blatter. He said to me: ‘Let’s get together and find a way out, a way we could forget…’,” Trapattoni told Italian newspaper La Stampa.

“I don’t know what he wanted or what he was aiming at. I just know that when he proffered a handshake, I did not return the gesture, because I am not someone with two faces.”

Trapattoni, who is out of a job since leaving Ireland in 2013, is also backing Uefa boss Michel Platini to take over from Blatter.

After a war there is the time of rebirth,” added Trap. “I think football can experience a new era now that someone and something has been swept aside.

“I think Michel Platini should be the new president. I know him well and have done for a long time. I don’t know if Michel truly wants this position, but he’s due it for his experience, sensibility and honesty.”

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