AFP/Getty ImagesCAPE TOWN, South Africa - FIFA says Ireland will not be invited to the World Cup as a 33rd team despite the hand ball by Thierry Henry that helped France eliminate the Irish in a playoff.
FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke said it was “impossible” to change the structure of the tournament. He said it would open FIFA to a host of other complaints of teams that felt they were cheated during qualifying.
FIFA president Sepp Blatter said Monday that the Irish had written to soccer’s world governing body asking to be let into the 2010 tournament in South Africa because of Henry’s hand ball.
Euro Roundup: First-place Manchester City won 1-0 at Aston Villa on Sunday on Joleon Lescott's goal in the 63rd minute, maintaining its two-point lead over Manchester United in the Premier League.
Alex Morgan's 2 goals, including the winner in stoppage time, lift the U.S. past New Zealand 2-1.
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Teams of the 2010 World Cup Shots of every country heading to South Africa, from Brazil to the United States |
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