Giovanni Trapattoni claims Italy and the Republic of Ireland were “damaged” by FIFA corruption around World Cups.
The investigation into football’s governing body is spreading after the FBI and Swiss authorities arrested several high-ranking figures.
Sepp Blatter nonetheless was re-elected President of FIFA last night for a fifth consecutive term.
“I met Blatter, but I would’ve preferred not to,” Trap told magazine Oggi.
Giovanni Trapattoni claims Italy and the Republic of Ireland were “damaged” by FIFA corruption around World Cups.
The investigation into football’s governing body is spreading after the FBI and Swiss authorities arrested several high-ranking figures.
Sepp Blatter nonetheless was re-elected President of FIFA last night for a fifth consecutive term.
“I met Blatter, but I would’ve preferred not to,” Trap told magazine Oggi.
“I was damaged with Italy in the 2002 World Cup in Korea and also with Ireland when it came to Thierry Henry’s handball.
“I experienced these issues myself and some of the affected decisions were evident.”
Italian media have never stopped implying corruption was at the heart of their World Cup exit to hosts South Korea in 2002.
The Round of 16 tie saw Francesco Totti sent off and three valid goals ruled offside before Korea won 2-1 in extra time with a Golden Goal.
The doubts over that game were further blown up after referee Byron Moreno was sacked in Ecuador for awarding 13 minutes of injury time until a team where he was running for election won, then served a 26-month prison sentence in New York for trying to smuggle heroin into the country.
“They had already signed the sponsorship contracts, so there was an economic logic that demanded certain choices,” continued Trapattoni.
“Japan had already been eliminated and therefore they couldn’t risk Korea going out so early too.
“After the France-Ireland World Cup qualifier, I called Michel Platini and told him everything. Then Blatter organised a friendly for Ireland so the revenue from that would match the sum we would’ve had if qualifying for the World Cup.
“What did I care about the money? I wanted to be in that tournament.”