Lassana Diarra has stoked the flames of his feud with Keith Andrews, telling the Irish player if he wants trouble “we will meet again on Wednesday”. And the Real Madrid midfielder insists he did not insult the Irish side to spark Saturday’s melee at the final whistle.
The pair clashed at the end of Saturday’s match, which France won 1-0, with Andrews explaining to reporters that his opposite number had made “a disrespectful comment”.
Giovanni Trapattoni described the barb afterwards as an insult aimed at the Irish people.
But Diarra today played down his role in the incident, claiming the Irish players were “looking for trouble” after seeing their chances of reaching the World Cup fade.
"I don't know exactly what happened, even if it happens quite often," Diarra told reporters. "If Andrews asks for trouble, we will meet again on Wednesday.
"Andrews walked on my ankle during the second half. But it was nothing. It happens quite often at the end of a match. The Irishmen have been frustrated. They lost 1-0. They are looking for trouble. Maybe they wanted me to get a card.
"I didn't say anything. I have absolutely nothing against Irish people. I played for five years in England and I never had any trouble. They are talking to the press. We can talk to the press too."
Diarra's team-mate Patrice Evra, meanwhile, hopes the frustration will not be carried into the return leg at Stade de France.
"I came when it was almost over. I just asked John O'Shea to calm down his players," said the Manchester United left-back. "We don't have to make any controversy out of that, the return leg will be heated enough.
"They lost and we woke up Irish pride. I don't think Irish players needed that to be motivated."
Arsenal midfielder Abou Diaby has been ruled out of Wednesday’s game, the French Football Federation (FFF) has confirmed.
Diaby, who was almost sure not to start the game, will not be replaced in the squad after losing his battle to recover from a calf injury.
Defender Eric Abidal and midfielder Jeremy Toulalan were already ruled out of the game.
The latter missed the first leg and was replaced by Alou Diarra, while Abidal picked up a thigh injury in Croke Park and is likely to be replaced by either Julien Escude or Sebastien Squillaci of Sevilla.