[gonzo]

For all the Irish whining about the play-off seeds though it's hardly a suprise is it? Not only are the group stages of the WC itself seeded but so were the play-offs for the last one. FIFA always look out for the major teams, always have, always will.

[Bilbobaggins]

Originally Posted by gonzo

For all the Irish whining about the play-off seeds though it's hardly a suprise is it? Not only are the group stages of the WC itself seeded but so were the play-offs for the last one. FIFA always look out for the major teams, always have, always will.

Matt, the problem here is that FIFA said all along that the playoffs would NOT be seeded, it was in their rules of competition before the qualifiers started.
Towards the end of qualifying they realised there was a possibility of the frogs and the coiffured poncey diving bisexual spastics team might not make it, so they changed it and seeded the draw.
disgraceful behaviour and quite obviously influenced and therefore manipulated by Michel Platini.

[gonzo]

Originally Posted by Bilbobaggins

Matt, the problem here is that FIFA said all along that the playoffs would NOT be seeded, it was in their rules of competition before the qualifiers started.

That's not the case though mate, there was nothing specified regarding seeding or not seeding the groups until FIFA brought it up a few weeks back. I agree that they tweaked the rules to suit their own commercial ends when it became apparent some of the major teams may miss out but at no point was it ever officially stated that the groups would be unseeded.