The FAI today maintained there was no way back for Roy Keane into the World Cup squad.
Brendan Menton, chief executive of the FAI, arrived in Japan last night hoping there might still be a chance for a reconciliation between national boss Mick McCarthy and Manchester United skipper Keane.
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But after meeting with McCarthy this morning, Menton accepted there could be no way back for Keane and gave the FAI's full backing to their manager.
"I spoke to Mick this morning for the first time since I arrived and we just reviewed the situation," said Menton.
"And I am absolutely happy with Mick's decision - I think it is the correct decision.
"I know the Association back home fully endorsed it in my absence while I was travelling and I have no problem with that, I think it was the correct decision and I have no difficulty with it.
"I know there was speculation that I was travelling here in the hope this might be re-opened, but it won't be, and that is the message I want to give.
"I am disappointed, but it is certainly the right decision, and looking at the demeanour of the squad and talking to some of the senior players the spirit in the camp is absolutely fantastic now.
"Mick would have liked Roy Keane in the squad, but it is a team game and at the end of the day he made the correct decision. The alternatives could have been worse.
"Of course this is one of those things that you never want to happen, but I am confident it will not affect team morale.
"When I met the players yesterday I was struck by how upbeat they were. They appeared to be in great form.
"We have some very good young players and in Roy's absence I am confident that new leaders and new heroes will emerge for Irish football from this World Cup.
"I have read some of our opponents suggesting Roy's absence will diminish us, but the people who say those things are obviously unaware of the fighting Irish psyche."
Menton also backed McCarthy's decision to confront Keane at a team meeting on Thursday evening, rather than on a one-to-one basis.
He said: "Roy was the one who was unhappy and everyone else seemed to be happy and I think this thing had to be sorted out.
"Mick had used one-to-ones with Roy, but this had to be a clear-the-air meeting and that was right."
Menton confirmed that the FAI had asked FIFA to allow them to call up a replacement for Keane - probably Celtic's Colin Healy - and that they were awaiting a decision from a meeting in Switzerland later today.
"We have spoken to FIFA and they are aware of the situation," he said. "It is on the agenda of their organising committee meeting this afternoon.
"It is classed as 'exceptional circumstances' and we have asked for a definition of what exactly is involved.
"It is not simply injury, it is 'force majuere' and we've asked for a definition of what exactly that means.
"We have also asked to speak to FIFA officials on Monday when we are in Korea for the FIFA congress.
"But I know from talking to Mick that we are operating with a squad of 22 and he is happy to do that and he thinks it is in the best interests of the squad at this stage.
"I think we can all feel sorry for Colin Healy, he is the loser in all this.
"But judging by the demeanour of the squad, Irish football is not the loser and there is a unity in the squad which is very important in this tournament.
"The lads are confident they will get through the first round and the decision Mick has made and that we are endorsing is that the squad is more important than the individual member.
"It is a four-week tournament and having harmony in the squad is more important than anything else."
PA