FOOTBALL DIGEST

THIS has not been a good week for Shamrock Rovers. While Graham Burke claimed the SSE Airtricity/Soccer Writers’ Association of Ireland March player of the month award, they then threw away a one goal lead against rivals Bohemians before losing the derby in the ninth minute of added time. To compound matters, the club was fined €1,500 by the FAI for an offensive banner unfurled by fans during the defeat to Waterford as well as €300 for the use of flares.

QATAR wants talks with FIFA to discuss the logistics of increasing the 2022 World Cup to 48 teams. FIFA President Gianni Infantino said on Thursday he was open to a request from South American football nations to fast-track the jump from 32 to 48 teams at World Cups by four years.