The international friendly played on June 4th between Hungary and the Republic of Ireland may not be recognised as an official match by world governing body FIFA, the Irish Federation (FAI) said on Thursday.
Hungary were responsible for all aspects of the fixture that ended 0-0 but FIFA have revealed that assistant referee David Vang Andersen who was used that night is not recognised on their current list of referees. However both federations have announced that regardless of FIFA’s final decision, the match will be treated as an international in respect of caps awarded to players. The revelations, first reported in the Irish Daily Star, would most notably affect the status of Irish winger Damien Duff, who retired from international footall following Euro 2012, with a century of caps to his name, the last of which was as captain against Italy during the 2-0 defeat in their final pool match. However the Irish Federation have assured the Fulham player will not see his caps tally diminished in any way and that European governing body UEFA and FIFA leave it to the discretion of national associations to award caps.
Thai chief denies fraud
allegations: Thailand’s controversial football chief on Thursday denied fraud allegations linked to a multi-million dollar broadcast rights deal, the latest in a cascade of claims against him. Football Association of Thailand (FAT) chief Worawi Makudi, a powerful figure in the Asian game, rubbished accusations by South Korean firm Dae-an 21 that he prematurely cancelled an exclusive contract worth $2.4 million a year.
“The fraud allegation is groundless,” Worawi told reporters, in response to the Korean company threatening legal action against the FAT — and its chief — for failing to stick to the terms of the deal.
The FAT had signed a four-year contract with the company from 2007 to 2011, but Worwai said Dae-an 21 broke the deal when it stopped making payments after around a year and failed to respond to queries over the shortfall.
“It (the allegation) is part of an effort to discredit myself and the FAT, I think the FAT should sue back to protect our reputation.” The 60-year-old Worwai, who has been an executive member of football’s governing body FIFA since 1997, has had previous brushes with controversy.
