Ireland Turns Down FIFA's Patronizing Fair Play Award For 2009

While Lionel Messi deservedly won FIFA's Player of the Year Award for 2009, the real story from the star-studded Gala in Zurich was the FAI's refusal to accept a highly patronizing Fair Play Award.

"I think the way the president of FIFA behaved was an embarrassment to himself and an embarrassment to FIFA. There is an awards ceremony and they have offered us a Fair Play award. We've respectfully declined." said a dignified John Delaney, President of the FAI

The Lisbon Treaty and the 6+5 Rule Combine to Change Football

This week, Sepp Blatter met with the European Parliament Vice-President, Pál Schmitt, to discuss the imminent ratification of the Lisbon Treaty and how it will impact on the footballing world as FIFA begin to implement their 6+5 rule.