FIFA deal clouds Eng-Ire game

AFP, DUBLIN: Concerns over fan behaviour and revelations about FIFA’s secret payment to the Football Association of Ireland threaten to overshadow Sunday’s friendly in Dublin between the Republic of Ireland and England.
England are playing in the Irish capital for the first time since a riot by far-right English hooligans forced a 1995 friendly game between the countries at Lansdowne Road to be abandoned after only 27 minutes.
There will therefore be a strong focus on the conduct of both sets of supporters during the fixture at the Aviva Stadium, which is kicking off at the safety-first time of 1:00 pm (1200 GMT).
The FAI has also been touched by the scandal engulfing FIFA following the revelation by chief executive John Delaney that the world governing body paid his organisation five million euros ($5.5 million) to stop them taking legal action after a handball by Thierry Henry took France to the 2010 World Cup at Ireland’s expense.
After a wretched week for the sport, authorities in Ireland and England are taking steps to ensure that Sunday’s match does not yield further unpleasant headlines.
England’s Football Association has written to fans with tickets warning them not to repeat chants about the Irish paramilitary group the IRA that were aired during recent friendlies with Scotland and Italy.
Visiting fans will have to collect their tickets in Dublin with photo ID, while 1,875 people who have been served with banning orders must surrender their passports to English police stations on the morning of the game.
Queens Park Rangers striker Charlie Austin, one of three potential debutants in Roy Hodgson’s England squad, was five years old at the time of the Lansdowne Road riot.
With Ireland’s 1-1 draw against England in a friendly at Wembley two years ago having passed off without incident, the 25-year-old striker is hopeful that Sunday’s game will be remembered for the right reasons.
“Playing against Scotland in November means we will be suited to what’s going on,” he said.
“You can imagine it being a big atmosphere and I know that we’ve moved on from 20 years ago now and the fans that will be going there will provide great support like they have been throughout the years.”
Delaney’s revelations have thrust Irish football into the international spotlight and prompted Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny to call for more information to be made public.
But Ireland assistant manager Roy Keane gave short shrift to suggestions his players could be distracted by the current goings-on at FIFA.

FIFA deal clouds Eng-Ire game

AFP, DUBLIN: Concerns over fan behaviour and revelations about FIFAs secret payment to the Football Association of Ireland threaten to overshadow Sundays friendly in Dublin between the Republic of Ireland and England. England are playing in the Irish capital for the first time since a riot by far-right English hooligans forced a 1995 friendly game between the countries at Lansdowne Road to be abandoned after only 27 minutes. There will therefore be a strong focus on the conduct of both sets of supporters during the fixture at the Aviva Stadium, which is kicking off at the safety-first time of 1:00 pm (1200 GMT). The FAI has also been touched by the scandal engulfing FIFA following the revelation by chief executive John Delaney that the world governing body paid his organisation five million euros ($5.5 million) to stop them taking legal action after a handball by Thierry Henry took France to the 2010 World Cup at Irelands expense. After a wretched week for the sport, authorities in Ireland and England are taking steps to ensure that Sundays match does not yield further unpleasant headlines. Englands Football Association has written to fans with tickets warning them not to repeat chants about the Irish paramilitary group the IRA that were aired during recent friendlies with Scotland and Italy. Visiting fans will have to collect their tickets in Dublin with photo ID, while 1,875 people who have been served with banning orders must surrender their passports to English police stations on the morning of the game. Queens Park Rangers striker Charlie Austin, one of three potential debutants in Roy Hodgsons England squad, was five years old at the time of the Lansdowne Road riot. With Irelands 1-1 draw against England in a friendly at Wembley two years ago having passed off without incident, the 25-year-old striker is hopeful that Sundays game will be remembered for the right reasons. Playing against Scotland in November means we will be suited to whats going on, he said. You can imagine it being a big atmosphere and I know that weve moved on from 20 years ago now and the fans that will be going there will provide great support like they have been throughout the years. Delaneys revelations have thrust Irish football into the international spotlight and prompted Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny to call for more information to be made public. But Ireland assistant manager Roy Keane gave short shrift to suggestions his players could be distracted by the current goings-on at FIFA.