Originally Posted by Decotron

Republic fans face TV black-out

Irish football fans are facing a television black-out amid a row over the rights for the Republic of Ireland's World Cup showdown with France.

Broadcasters RTE and Sky Sports remain in discussions with the French Football Federation and their TV partners TF1 over the second leg in Paris next Wednesday evening.

But they have as yet been unable to strike a deal, and if that remains the case, Giovanni Trapattoni's men could walk out at the Stade de France with millions at home in the dark as they attempt to secure their passage to South Africa next summer.

Reports in Ireland have suggested that the FFF is asking for 1.5million euros for the rights after the Football Association of Ireland handed the home leg to the highest bidder, independent channel M6, for around 4.5million euros.