FIFA Paid Ireland Over Thierry Henry Handball: Football Association of Ireland

FIFA made a payment to the Football Association of Ireland after Thierry Henry's handball stopped Ireland qualifying for the 2010 World Cup, FAI chief executive John Delaney revealed on Thursday. (Ex-FIFA Official Threatens To Spill 'Avalanche' Of Secrets)

"We felt we had a legal case against FIFA because of how the World Cup play-off hadn't worked out for us with the Henry handball," Delaney told Ireland's RTE Radio 1. (FIFA Scandal Spreads Around the Globe)

"We came to an agreement. That was a Thursday and on Monday, the agreement was all signed and all done. It's a very good agreement for the FAI and a very legitimate agreement for the FAI." (FIFA Allegations 'Despicable', Says David Beckham)

The payment is reported to have been worth five million euros ($5.63 million), but when that figure was put to Delaney, he refused to confirm or deny it, saying he was "bound by confidentiality". (White House Thinks FIFA can Benefit From 'New Leadership')

France qualified for the 2010 World Cup at Ireland's expense after Henry blatantly handled the ball as he set up William Gallas for the decisive goal in a play-off match in Paris in November 2009. (FIFA Troubles Won't Impact 2022 World Cup Preparations: Organisers)

Henry was derided as a cheat in the aftermath of the match, which saw France win 2-1 on aggregate, while the FAI and the Irish government unsuccessfully petitioned world governing body FIFA for the game to be replayed.

Delaney's claim comes amid a corruption scandal engulfing FIFA that has seen president Sepp Blatter announce his resignation and former executive committee member Chuck Blazer admit to paying bribes. (Chuck Blazer Accuses FIFA Officials of Accepting Bribes During 1998 and 2010 World Cup Bids)