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Martin O'Neill: 'We have to concentrate on our matches'

Republic of Ireland boss Martin O'Neill insists that his side must focus on their upcoming matches rather than the news of their financial settlement from FIFA.

Republic of Ireland boss Martin O'Neill is adamant that his side have to focus on their matches against England and Scotland rather than the news of their compensation package from FIFA.

FAI chief executive John Delaney revealed that they received a settlement in the region of £3.5m from world football's governing body after Thierry Henry's controversial handball prevented Ireland from earning a place at the 2010 World Cup.

However, O'Neill has insisted that his side have to put that news behind them and concentrate on the task at hand against the Three Lions and their upcoming Euro 2016 qualifier against Scotland.

He told reporters: "I think it [the payment] was made public knowledge six or eight months ago so I wasn't more aware than anyone else. I have not had time to study it in depth and I'm certainly not a European lawyer. We have to concentrate on the matter in hand.

"The FAI board gave me the opportunity to come and manage the team and I was delighted to take it. This game [against England] and the Scotland game is taking my undivided attention."

Ireland play England in a friendly in Dublin later today.

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Republic of Ireland's defender John O'Shea celebrates scoring the last minute equalizer with his team-mates during the UEFA Euro 2016 Group D qualifying football match Germany vs Republic of Ireland in Gelsenkirchen, western Germany on October 14, 2014
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