Playoff Row Rumbles On: FIFA Calls Meeting Over Controversial Cup Qualifiers

November 24, 2009 6:52 a.m. EST

FIFA has called a rare general meeting to discuss the recent controversial World Cup Qualifiers.

The meeting is likely to focus on the diplomatic row which has erupted in Africa following World Cup qualification meetings between Algeria and Egypt.

Both nations have recalled their envoys in the row, which has seen riots and Algerian flag-burning on the streets of Cairo and has led to Egypt threatening to quit international soccer competitions.

FIFA is also likely to discuss the France vs Republic of Ireland fixture which France won in controversial circumstances after Thierry Henry clearly handled the ball in the build-up to France's winning goal.

The organization maintains a replay is impossible.

Likely to join the qualifiers on the agenda is UEFA's revelation it is investigating roughly 200 European fixtures for match-fixing and the utilizing of five officials experiment in Europa League games.