CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — FIFA president Sepp Blatter has apologized to the Irish soccer federation for his comments on Ireland's loss to France in a World Cup playoff.
Blatter had defended Thierry Henry, whose hand ball led to a goal that eliminated Ireland from the World Cup, saying it wasn't the forward's responsibility to tell the referee.
The federation also criticized Blatter for making public Ireland's request to be allowed into the World Cup as an extra team.
Blatter says he's "sorry about these headlines. It is a pity that it has been communicated in this way. Sorry again."
The federation wanted Blatter to "issue a clear statement that FIFA does not condone breaches of the laws of the game."
