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Bookmakers refund bets after handball

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Irish bookmakers have announced they will refund punters' bets backing the Republic of Ireland following Wednesday night's World Cup play-off in France.
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Chains Paddy Power and William Hill have decided to refund all losing single bets placed on Ireland to qualify for the World Cup, after Thierry Henry's controversial extra-time handball knocked the Irish side out of the competition.

The striker clearly handled the ball before squaring it across goal for William Gallas to net the winner after Republic skipper Keane had levelled the aggregate score in the first half of the play-off second leg in Paris.

As well as refunding all losing first and last goalscorer, correct score and scorecast singles, Paddy Power said they will also refund all bets on Ireland to win the World Cup.

"We're going to refund anybody who backed Ireland to qualify for the World Cup, because it is the biggest case of daylight robbery I can imagine", Paddy Power told UTV.

"Or even people who backed Ireland to win the World Cup... the few people who were that crazy, they'll get their money back."

"We're giving back about £110,000 which to be honest I wouldn't feel right to put in my pocket. It's bad enough without having your money taken out as well. Terrible."

William Hill said they will be paying out on bets for the French to go through.

"Leaving aside any moral scruples and the fact that no one knows what would have happened if the goal had been disallowed, William Hill feel that they are being as fair as possible to everyone by returning stake money to those who bet on the Irish going through", a spokesman for William Hill said.

"It will cost us a significant five figure sum".

© UTV News

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