THE home leg of the Republic of Ireland’s World Cup play-off against France will be refereed by a team of German officials, led by 34-year-old Felix Brych.

A doctor of law from Munich, he was awarded his Fifa badge in 2007 and is a regular at international and Champions League matches. He was in charge of last night’s clash between AC Milan and Real Madrid at the San Siro.

Brych will be assisted at Croke Park on November 14th by Thorsten Schiffner and Mark Borsch, while Michael Weiner takes the fourth official duties.

A Swedish team of officials led by Martin Hansson will take charge of the second leg at Stade de France on Wednesday, November 18th.

The 38-year-old fireman from Holmsjo has been an international referee since 2001.

Hansson awarded Liverpool a controversial penalty in the 95th minute of their Champions League clash with Atletico Madrid in November 2008 at Anfield, when Steven Gerrard was taken down by Mariano Pernía. The Liverpool captain got up to score the penalty and ensure a 1-1 draw, but afterwards admitted “if it happened at the other end we would be livid.

Larsson took charge of the final of last summer’s Confederations Cup in Johannesburg, which saw Brazil come from 2-0 down to beat the United States 3-2, and is on the list to officiate at the 2010 World Cup.

He will be joined by Stefan Wittberg and Fredrik Nilsson, with Martin Ingvarsson looking after the fourth official duties in Paris.