FIFA have dashed any hopes of Ireland's inclusion in next year's World Cup finals by declaring it would be impossible to add a 33rd team to the tournament.
Three days out from the draw for the finals in South Africa FIFA's general secretary Jerome Valcke has said president Sepp Blatter told Ireland very clearly they had no chance of success, but as they've made an official request, the matter will have to go before tonight's organising commmittee meeting in Cape Town.
Ireland believe they were cheated out of a place in next year's finals by Thierry Henry's hand ball goal for France in their final qualifying match.
