Ireland chief claims FAI were paid millions after Thierry Henry handball kept them out of World Cup

Thierry Henry handball led to France winning World Cup play-off in 2009
John Delaney claims FAI were paid settlement in return for not taking legal action
President Sepp Blatter has resigned following allegations of corruption

Published:
16:40 GMT, 4 June 2015

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Updated:
17:01 GMT, 4 June 2015

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FIFA are left with yet more questions to answer after the Football Association of Ireland’s chief executive John Delaney claimed they were paid a substantial settlement after Thierry Henry’s infamous handball six years ago.

The France striker handled possession inside the Ireland box before laying on for William Gallas to score the winner during extra-time of a World Cup play-off second leg in 2009.

France went to the South Africa finals a year later, with Ireland left dumped out of the competition.

Chief executive John Delaney, pictured with Martin O’Neill (left), claims that the FAI were paid millions by FIFA following their controversial World Cup play-off exit

Thierry clearly handled the ball before France scored to deny Ireland a place at the 2010 World Cup

William Gallas (centre) scores the winning goal in extra-time at the Stade de France in 2009

It was an action that led to widespread outrage – Richard Dunne at the time revealing he felt ‘cheated’ by Henry’s antics.

The Irish Sun reported last summer that a payment had been made from FIFA.

Delaney astonishingly saying that football’s governing body handed the FAI a payment, although confidentiality prevented him from revealing the exact figure, in the aftermath is the first time an official has confirmed such goings on.

The money is said to have been a legal payment in return for not going to court, compounding a horror week for FIFA during which Sepp Blatter revealed he was stepping down as president.

Ireland players are furious as they react to the goal, which should have been disallowed

Ireland’s Damien Duff (right) looks downcast as France players, including Henry (left), celebrate behind

‘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,’ Delaney told RTE radio.

‘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.

Sepp Blatter has been forced to resign as FIFA president after a week of corruption allegations

‘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 for naming the figure.’

However, Delaney appeared to accept a payment of £3.6million was accurate when the figure was put towards him during the interview, although he was unable to confirm the exact amount.

‘You’ve put a figure out there and fair play to you It was a payment to the association to not proceed with a legal case. In there they signed a confidentiality agreement where I can’t talk about the amount involved,’ he said.

‘You used a figure there, well done to you, but it was a very good and legitimate deal for the FAI.

‘[FIFA] is a house of cards for me. I knew Blatter would not survive.’