FIFA prevented legal action over Thierry Henry's infamous handball by making a payment to the FAI, John Delaney has revealed.
John Delaney has admitted that FIFA made a payment to the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) to prevent the possibility of legal action after the national team controversially missed out on the 2010 World Cup.
The Republic of Ireland was denied a place in the finals when William Gallas headed in an extra-time equalizer in the November 2009 playoff fixture, with officials missing a clear handball from Thierry Henry.
Ireland was dumped out on aggregate as France progressed, with FIFA rejecting requests from the FAI for the game to be replayed.