FIFA HAS ADMITTED to giving Ireland $5 million in compensation for missing out on a place at the 2010 World Cup after Thierry Henry’s handball that set up the French winner.
The payment — initially a loan — was not disclosed in the wake of the 2009 playoff game, which France won 2-1 on aggregate to reach the finals in South Africa.
The cash from FIFA was first disclosed in public on Thursday by Football Association of Ireland chief executive John Delaney, who didn’t say it was a loan.
FIFA says it granted the loan “to put an end to any claims against FIFA,” but it would have to be reimbursed if Ireland qualified for the 2014 World Cup.
After Ireland failed to qualify, FIFA says the loan was written off. (AP)
