Diaby Out

Arsenal midfielder Abou Diaby has been ruled out of France’s World Cup playoff against Ireland in Paris on Wednesday through injury, according to the French Football Fereration, they say he will not be replaced in the french squad until they specify the seriousness of his injury.

Defender Eric Abidal and midfielder Jeremy Toulalan have also pulled out injured from the Stade de France showdown.
France are well placed to make next year’s finals in South Africa after beating Ireland 1-0 at Croke Park on Saturday, but Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni still remains quite confident his side can pull off an upset in the French capital.

Meanwhile the war of rights is still ongoing between Irish broadcasters and the FFF about who will show the second leg of the playoff. It is reported the FFF are looking for a sum in the region of over one million Euro, which has allegedly been refused by our state broadcaster RTE, it is still unknown whether or not TV3, Setanta or Sky Sports will put in a bid

Daniel "Pitchside" Pitcher Twitter: @DanFM104Sport About: Dan "Pitchside" Pitcher provides insight and commentary as the chief soccer and rugby correspondent for Sportspeak.