O'Brien freed to face the French

News: The FAI has been informed by Fifa that Republic of Ireland defender Andy O'Brien will not be required to serve any additional suspension in connection with his sending-off in the recent World Cup qualifier against Israel.

The 25-year-old, who this week signed for Portsmouth in a £2-million deal, was shown a red card for "violent conduct", though television footage suggested the Israeli goalkeeper Dudu Aouate was in fact the guilty party.

O'Brien missed the game against the Faroe Islands four days later as a one-match suspension was, in the circumstances, unavoidable. But Fifa's disciplinary committee have decided no further punishment would be appropriate.

And that, given the offence in question would normally carry a ban of two or more games, is as close as the international body could have come to exonerating the Irishman.

The news will come as a boost to Brian Kerr, who will have the central defender available to him for France's visit to Dublin in early September.

Meanwhile, Setanta Sports officials have denied reports in the northern media that an expanded format for next year's Setanta Cup has already been agreed.

The BBC reported yesterday that next year's competition would involve eight teams, the additional place for the Irish League going to the winners of the CIS (League) Cup.

"I know the FAI and IFA met last week," said Tim Twomey of Setanta, "and we sent them along a number of points for consideration including the idea of four-team groups, which would have advantages.

"That certainly hasn't been agreed at this point though, and it's a complete mystery to me how it is being reported that we've reached the stage of having decided how the extra places would be awarded.

"We're due to meet with the associations over the next few weeks," he added, "and I would expect that this would get sorted out then."