The Football Association of Ireland have confirmed that FIFA have rejected their request to replace Roy Keane at the World Cup.
The FAI sought to replace Keane who was sent home in disgrace from Ireland's warm-up camp in Saipan after a blazing row with Republic boss Mick McCarthy.
But FIFA rules stipulate that a player can only be replaced on the grounds of injury, as with the case of England's Trevor Sinclair replacing the injured Danny Murphy.
FAI general secretary Brendan Menton revealed that FIFA had rejected their request because Keane had not being injured when he left the squad.
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