Irish players were not paid $10,000 to protect Lionel Messi, says FAI

The Argentine superstar was allegedly not fouled by the Irish players in a 2010 friendly match

Football Association of Ireland have rejected reports by Argentine newspaper La Nacion, which state that each Ireland player was paid a lump sum to go easy on Lionel Messi in a friendly match against Argentina.

Played in August 2010, nine months after Ireland’s controversial World Cup playoff loss to France, the report also alleges that the then Argentine Football Association (AFA) president Julio Grondona had proposed the friendly to FIFA president Sepp Blatter in order to pacify the FAI.

The paper claims Messi was due to be in China with Barcelona for their pre-season tour at the time and that Barcelona had demanded a $5 million insurance fee for the player. However, as the AFA was unable to pay the said amount, the late Grondona suggested the Irish players be paid $10,000 each to not tackle Messi.

The FAI, on their part, have strongly quashed these reports and are planning to take legal action.

“The Football Association of Ireland completely refutes the allegations made about the Republic of Ireland v Argentina friendly match in La Nacion as baseless. The match in question was organized by Kentaro and announced by press release prior to the World Cup play-offs in 2009. We are consulting our legal advisers in relation to the article and will be taking further steps,” said a statement.

Former Irish international Kevin Kilbane, who played in that game, has also come out in support of the FAI.

"I am totally unaware of it. There was no suggestion around the game that we were to stay clear of Lionel Messi, and of course none of the players received any money as payment regarding this.”

Ireland captain Robbie Keane played his 100th international match, as Argentina beat Ireland, thanks to an Angel Di Maria goal. Messi played only 58 minutes before being substituted in that game, which was held at the Aviva stadium.