Liam Brady has branded Sepp Blatter "an embarrassment to FIFA" for the way he has handled the fallout of Ireland’s controversial World Cup playoff defeat to France as a result of a blatant handball by Thierry Henry.

Brady expressed his displeasure to Sky Sports news in no uncertain terms.

"He's a bit of a loose cannon. He's an embarrassment to FIFA," said the Irish soccer legend.

Blatter confirmed Monday that the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) had made a request to FIFA that Ireland be included as the 33rd team at next year’s World Cup in South Africa. 

The FIFA president went on to say that it was unlikely that this would come to pass, as if the governing body considered the Irish application, it would also have to include Costa Rica, who were also eliminated in the playoffs in controversial circumstances.

"I think when we asked for that we knew there was very little chance of that happening,” continued Brady.

“We asked because we wanted to have them respond in a measured way, and see what they had to say. After all Mr Blatter was responsible for the (match) official. He didn't say anything about the appalling mistake the official made to miss a blatant handball."