Lord of the Dance
Doherty to miss France game
Sport

Doherty to miss France game

The Wolverhampton Wanderers player was sent off in Ireland's 2-1 loss to Greece in June. Doherty pushed Greek player Giorgos Tzavellas to the ground and then confronted Liverpool's Kostas Tsimikas afterward.

The Ireland defender explained what happened after the game and described the referee as 'arrogant':

"I just wanted to talk to him, but referees these days don't even let you speak to them. They're so arrogant and sure about themselves that you're not even allowed to approach them and have a normal conversation," he said to Off the Ball.

"It's all about them, isn't it? I guess people always think when you go up to the referee after the game that you're going to abuse them, but I wasn't going to do that. I just wanted to talk to him normally."

There had been hope that Doherty would be available for Ireland's trip to face France next week, having already served his one-game ban, but UEFA has ended any hope of that happening because of Doherty's ‘unsporting conduct’.

Doherty's loss will be another blow for Ireland as team captain and right-back Séamus Coleman will miss the games through injury.

Ireland and Wolves midfielder Joe Hodge will also miss the game after picking up a hamstring injury in the win over Blackpool in the League Cup on Tuesday night.

Kenny's squad for the games against Holland and France will be announced on Thursday.

Ireland's game against France takes place on September 7. The Holland game will take place three days later.