2010 WORLD CUP PLAY-OFF FRANCE v REPUBLIC OF IRELAND:IF LASSANA DIARRA became Ireland's enemy number one after his end-of-game fracas with Keith Andrews and Richard Dunne at Croke Park, the midfielder will only have consolidated his status after making a series of provocative comments following his return to France.

Speaking at the French training base, Diarra strongly rejected Giovanni Trapattoni’s claim he had “insulted the Irish people” after the final whistle and went on to accuse Ireland of being sore losers, talking too much to the press, and trying to get French players booked.

To inflame matters further ahead of tomorrow’s second leg, the Real Madrid midfielder said Les Bleus, who avoided picking up a single booking on Saturday, were “saving their yellow cards” for the Stade de France.

“The Irish were just frustrated at the end,” Diarra said. “They’d lost the game and were looking for excuses. Dunne and the number eight (Andrews) started taking their frustration out on me. I don’t know why. I honestly didn’t say a thing. We’d just won. Why would I suddenly want to insult the Irish people?

“I’ve got nothing against the Irish,” the 24-year-old continued. “I played in England for five years and never had a problem. There was a lot of tension because the stakes were high. But sadly in football, one team always finishes unhappy.”

Despite Diarra’s attempts to minimise his role, he had clearly been unsettled by Ireland and, in particular, Andrews. Five France players began the contest a booking away from a suspension and although Diarra was not one of them, the former Chelsea, Arsenal and Portsmouth man is convinced Trapattoni’s side attempted to influence the referee.

“The Irish players were trying to get us booked,” Diarra argued, before threatening to exact revenge in Paris. “The yellow cards we didn’t get on Saturday, we’re keeping them for Wednesday.

“I think the Irish wanted me to be booked at the end. It’s a shame. Andrews also did some things to me during the game. Don’t forget, he was the player who trod on my ankle in the second half. If Andrews is looking for me, he can find me again on Wednesday.”

Regarded by many French experts as the team’s leading performer in Dublin, Diarra was speaking with the assurance of a man who has established himself in the heart of both the Real Madrid and France sides over the last year. Yet his words appear surprisingly tactless at the halfway stage of such an important play-off, particularly after a largely unimpressive display from Raymond Domenech’s men.

Diarra did admit France had found the first half “very tough”, but claimed the visitors’ superior quality ultimately shone through.

“In the second half, we played more like the real France, passing the ball about with one or two touches,” he said.

“We knew it’d be difficult for us physically because we’ve played a lot of matches for our clubs recently.

“How many Ireland players play in the Champions League? I don’t think many of them do. They haven’t had as much football as us.”

Diarra must have known his remarks would create a stir yet did not seem to recognise any irony when suggesting that Ireland had been talking too much. One of Domenech’s few known supporters, the young Frenchman revealed that Dunne’s criticism of the under-fire coach had provided the squad with an extra source of motivation.

“The Irish talk too much in the press,” he explained. “They say this and they say that. But they’ve picked the wrong target. He’s human, he’s not perfect, but he’s our coach and he’s here to stay. He’s doing a good job and I’ll defend him a million times over.

“Domenech is not the one out on the pitch. The players are, and we’ve made mistakes as well. We’ve all had to put up with lots of criticism. But if we get to the World Cup everyone will be happy.” In contrast to his team-mate, Patrice Evra tried to dampen the flames with regards to Saturday’s late incident. “We mustn’t make an issue out of this,” the Manchester United defender said. “The second leg will be electric enough as it is. They’ve lost and now we’ve stirred the Irish pride. But I don’t think they need this to motivate them.”

Diaby ruled out

Arsenal midfielder Abou Diaby has been ruled out of Wednesday’s match.

Diaby will not be replaced in the squad, the French football federation said on their website, without specifying the nature of the injury.

Defender Eric Abidal and midfielder Jeremy Toulalan are also out through injury.