France expecting 'malice and provocation': Abidal
Eric Abidal
THE psychological warfare ahead of the World Cup play-off has stepped up a notch, with Liam Brady suggesting that FIFA's controversial decision to seed the draw places the spotlight on the match officials, and French defender Eric Abidal warning of 'malice and provocation' from Giovanni Trapattoni's side.
Irish assistant boss Brady, who was on the receiving end of refereeing decisions as a player that prevented him from participating in a major championship, believes that the integrity of Germany's Felix Brych and Sweden's Martin Hansson -- who take charge of the first and second legs respectively -- could be central to the outcome.
FIFA's last-minute decision to seed the play-off draw has been interpreted in Irish quarters as an attempt to ensure that bigger nations like France make it to the finals in South Africa next summer.
"The focus is on the referees particularly as FIFA changed the seeding and made it easier for the more glamorous teams," said Brady, yesterday. "But the referees are at the top of their game. They are two Champions League referees and the spotlight will be on them.
"I've had experience of playing against the French going back 20 years and the one thing you didn't get is a good referee.
"We have to believe that's the case this time because these are two Champions League referees and they will be thoroughly scrutinised. We expect better refereeing than when I was a player," added Brady, who missed out on the 1982 World Cup after Ireland inexplicably had a goal disallowed before conceding from a dubious free kick in the final minutes of their infamous concluding qualifier in Belgium.
However, France's Barcelona star Abidal is wary of Irish skulduggery in the crunch encounters, predicting that Trapattoni's charges will employ every trick in the book to win the set-pieces which Raymond Domenech's side are apprehensive about.
"There will be a little malice and provocation," said Abidal. "We must see what happens and not get caught up in the trap.
"They will look for the slightest mistake and try to draw fouls. It's part of football. It's a strategy. They will try to tease us, but we have to do everything so they will argue with each other.
Control
"Football is a sport where you need a lot of control and concentration, and you must not answer to provocation. They look for the little fouls, but the French are clever."
Domenech is still sweating over the fitness of midfielder Jeremy Toulalan who has been confined to the exercise bike with a groin problem, with Alou Diarra of Bordeaux on standby.
Les Bleus land in Dublin later this evening before taking a trip to Croke Park, while Ireland complete their preparations in Malahide at lunchtime with no fresh injury worries.
- Daniel McDonnell
Irish Independent
