SOCCER:THE FOOTBALL Association of Ireland confirmed last night that they are in discussions with their English counterparts about a friendly match between the two countries in Dublin next year, contradicting the English FA's denials earlier in the day that any such talks were taking place.
“In response to media speculation, the FAI this evening confirmed that it is in discussions with the English FA about a possible friendly match in Dublin,” read the statement. “However, the June date reported in this morning’s newspapers is incorrect. The discussions are ongoing and it is expected that an announcement will be made within the next month.”
Earlier, the English FA dismissed reports of a game having being arranged, adding that “there are no plans for a meeting at any point next year”.
“It’s just paper talk,” said a spokesman for the association when contacted in the afternoon. The FAI, meanwhile, offered only a “no comment” on the speculation, until confirming its accuracy last night.
That “paper talk” had suggested that June 8th would be the date the game would take place, the same day England are scheduled to play Thailand in Bangkok. The failure, though, of Worawi Makudi, the Thai FA president and Fifa executive committee member, to vote for the English World Cup hosting bid now means that game is unlikely to go ahead.
June 8th is a free international date in Ireland’s calendar, coming four days after the Euro 2012 qualifying game away to Macedonia, as it would be for England if the trip to Asia is cancelled.
According to English sources yesterday the only other spare date for Capello’s team is May 31st, but that is just three days after the Champions League final, and with four English teams still in the competition the FA is said to be reluctant to arrange a game for a time when the team could be without several key players.
Whatever the date, should the fixture be confirmed it would come as a much needed financial boost to the FAI, ticket sales and television revenue likely to yield up to €5 million. It would be England’s first trip to Dublin since the ill-fated friendly in 1995 when the game was abandoned due to crowd trouble.
Meanwhile, Blackburn Rovers manager Sam Allardyce has expressed his interest in signing Republic of Ireland captain Robbie Keane in the January transfer window.
“If Tottenham say that Keane and David Bentley are available then you are always interested in quality players,” he said yesterday. “If they are, then I think we will be one of many, many clubs in the Premier League who would be interested.”
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp conceded last week that Keane, who has started just two Premier League games for the club this season, is likely to leave in January.
