Keane, Doyle hit out at Platini and Blatter

19 November 2009 10:22

Ireland striker Kevin Doyle (L) hinted that the presence of French president of Uefa Michel Platini may have counted against Republic of Ireland in their World Cup play-off elimination in Paris.

Ireland will be absolutely mad for a few days considering the way they were dumped out of the World Cup. William Gallas' decisive goal was set up by Thierry Henry who handled the ball twice before crossing it to Gallas. The Irish players were devastated, with Robbie Keane and Kevin Doyle blasting the Fifa and Uefa presidents claiming they would be "delighted" with France reaching the World Cup.

"They're all probably clapping hands, Platini sitting up there on the phone to Sepp Blatter, probably texting each other, delighted with the result," Keane told BBC Radio Five Live.

His teammate Doyle agreed with the Tottenham Hotspur striker. "It was clearly a handball. If we would've handled the ball, I'm sure it would have been seen by the referee or the linesman. It is difficult. We are playing in Paris in front of a big French crowd. The president of Uefa (Michel Platini) is here and it is just difficult for us to get. "

Keane also criticised the late decision to seed the play-off ties when it emerged that established football powers such as France, Portugal and at one stage Germany could be involved.

"Germany had a chance of being in the (play-offs) as well. With two massive countries there's no way in a million years that there's going to be a fair draw."