FIFA to hold extraordinary meeting before draw

FIFA will hold an extraordinary meeting before next month's World Cup draw to discuss Thierry Henry's handball in the qualifiers and the discovery of a match-fixing ring by German police.

The trouble surrounding the Algeria-Egypt qualifier could also be on the agenda of the world governing body at an executive meeting to be held in Cape Town on Dec. 2, two days before the World Cup draw.

"Due to recent events in the world of football, namely incidents at the playoffs for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa, match control (refereeing) and irregularities in the football betting market, the FIFA president (Sepp Blatter) has called an extraordinary meeting of the Executive Committee," said FIFA in a statement. The executive committee is already due to meet on Dec. 3 on Robben Island to discuss the draw to be held the following day.

FIFA has so far refused to take any action over Henry's handball in the lead-up to France's equaliser against Ireland. The goal, scored by William Gallas, gave them a 1-1 draw and a 2-1 aggregate win in the two-leg playoff.

Ireland's FA formally asked for a replay of the match but FIFA said on Friday it had replied saying the request could not be granted.

The Irish governing body issued a statement yesterday saying: "Should we be asked to make any contribution, the FAI would be happy to do so for the improvement of the game."

The Egypt-Algeria qualifiers on Nov. 14 in Cairo and subsequent playoff in Khartoum four days later were also surrounded by controversy.

Egypt recalled their ambassador in Algiers after Algeria won the playoff 1-0 to qualify and both games were marred by reports of trouble.