The Republic of Ireland looks set for a dramatic late call-up to the Fifa World Cup finals in Brazil after France’s participation in the tournament was thrown into doubt this morning.
The FAI is understood to have been told to prepare for a possible shock inclusion at the expense of the French.
High-level sources in Fifa, the game’s governing body, say there is increasing concern at the fall-out from French striker Nicolas Anelka’s recent ban for an allegedly anti-Semitic “quenelle” gesture, and the impact it may have on a tournament which organisers are determined will pass off without controversy.