The dirt keeps coming out!
The FIFA controversy that has dominated headlines in the past week took another shocking turn on Thursday, as John Delaney, the chief executive of the Football Association of Ireland, revealed the organisation paid the FAI in the wake of Thierry Henry's controversial handball during a World Cup qualifier against France. This became one of the most infamous moments in Irish sporting history, as Henry handled the ball before providing the assist to the goal that would ultimately see France qualify for the 2010 World Cup over Ireland. At the time of the incident, the Irish were furious, and many expected the FAI to press charges against FIFA. Speaking to RTE Sport, Delaney confirmed that was the plan, until FIFA made him an offer he simply couldn't refuse:
We felt we had a legal case against FIFA because of how the World Cup play-off hadn’t worked out for us with the Henry handball. Also the way Blatter behaved, if you remember on stage, having a snigger and having a laugh at us. That day when I went in, and I told him how I felt about him, there were some expletives used. We came to an agreement. That was a Thursday and on Monday the agreement was all signed and all done. It’s a very good agreement for the FAI and a very legitimate agreement for the FAI. I’m bound by confidentiality from naming the figure. Delaney was questioned as to the amount, which was reported to be €5 million, but refused to comment on the details, according to Smith.
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