John Delaney Please Shut Up

2nd Dec 2009

Shut up John Delaney

Yes, he did say that.

The worldwide broadcast of the FAI's request to FIFA to be allowed into the 2010 World Cup as a 33rd country was 'hide-behind-the-couch' embarrassment for the Irish nation. Sepp Blatter FIFA's president laughed at the suggestion and who could blame him?

The latest gombeen-style politicking embodies the mentality of the Dublin based shambles who have shamed the country by doing everything but hunger strikes to have the country included in next summer's competition.

Delaney seems to be relying on the notion that the Irish are loved everywhere and should be given preference over others - like arrogant Bishops who believe that they are above the law.

The contrast between soccer officialdom here and the authorities of the other English-adopted sport, rugby, are astounding. Declan Kidney's award as IRB manager of the year after plotting the downfall of South Africa last Saturday is poignant. Perhaps the FAI shouldn't be so quick to dismiss the views of Corkonians.

Even if FIFA allowed a 33rd team to go to South Africa how would that work with eight groups of four? Any country assigned to a five-team group would be up in arms having to play an extra game.

Or was Delaney perhaps thinking that the authorities could have a separate ninth group with just the Republic of Ireland on its own thereby getting a free-pass to the second round because of the sins of Thierry Henry?

Irish fans have given up on the idea of going to the World Cup. It's time for the blazers in Dublin to realise that too.