Republic of Ireland defender John O'Shea said on Saturday that his team-mates had not been troubled by revelations about a secret FIFA loan to the Football Association of Ireland (FAI).

It emerged this week that world governing body FIFA paid a five million euros ($5.5 million) loan to the FAI to stop them taking legal action after a handball by Thierry Henry in a play-off match took France to the 2010 World Cup at Ireland's expense.

O'Shea was watching from the substitutes' bench when the handball incident occurred in extra time of the game at the Stade de France in November 2009, but he said resurfacing memories of the incident would not disturb his preparations ahead of games against England and Scotland.

"It's one of those things," the Sunderland centre-back told a press conference at a hotel beside Dublin Airport.

"You're aware of it because of the news. But look, we just have to get on with it. The FAI have obviously made everything as public as possible and they've dealt with it as quickly as possible.

"We move on, we concentrate as players do on the games coming up, because they're very important for ourselves and the country and the fans."

Raymond Domenech, France's manager at the time, has branded news of FIFA's loan "disgraceful and unacceptable" and suggested Ireland's players should have been compensated, but O'Shea said his comments were "ridiculous".

"It's fairly easy for him to say that now," said the former Manchester United defender.

"The important thing from our point of view is that the FAI have made things as up front and clear as possible."

The revelations about the FIFA payment, first aired by FAI chief executive John Delaney, have dogged the build-up to Sunday's friendly at home to England, which Ireland are using to gear up for a crucial 2016 European Championship qualifier at home to Scotland next weekend.