Yesterday the prime ministers of both countries became involved, with Francois Fillon warning Brian Cowen to keep out of the scandal after the Taoiseach said that he would discuss his call for the Ireland-France match to be replayed with President Sarkozy. Mr Fillon said that neither government should interfere in the decisions of Fifa, world football's governing body. Mr Sarkozy later attempted to defuse the row by expressing sympathy for Ireland's plight, but Christine Lagarde, the French Economy Minister, has poured fresh fuel on the flames this morning. "I am obviously very happy that the team is in the World Cup but I think it's very sad to have qualified on this, well, on this cheating," Lagarde told France's RTL radio. "And I think that Fifa would do well to look at the rules because I think it would be good, in such circumstances, to decide maybe to replay the match."
Yesterday the prime ministers of both countries became involved, with Francois Fillon warning Brian Cowen to keep out of the scandal after the Taoiseach said that he would discuss his call for the Ireland-France match to be replayed with President Sarkozy. Mr Fillon said that neither government should interfere in the decisions of Fifa, world football's governing body.
Mr Sarkozy later attempted to defuse the row by expressing sympathy for Ireland's plight, but Christine Lagarde, the French Economy Minister, has poured fresh fuel on the flames this morning.
"I am obviously very happy that the team is in the World Cup but I think it's very sad to have qualified on this, well, on this cheating," Lagarde told France's RTL radio. "And I think that Fifa would do well to look at the rules because I think it would be good, in such circumstances, to decide maybe to replay the match."
"But I will not let myself be reduced to silence."
