Portugal's Abel Xavier has not given up hope of facing Ireland in the World Cup qualifier in October. The defender plans to appeal to the European Sports Court in a bid to have his nine-month ban from international competitions overturned.

The Everton player picked up the ban in the Euro 2000 semi-final defeat against France. He was cited for violent behaviour and UEFA came down heavy on him as a warning to other players.

His ban includes club competitions in Europe, which he believes ruined a big money move to AS Roma.

He appealed to UEFA but the governing body refused to lift or shorten his ban so he feels he has been left with no other choice but to bring his case to a higher court.

Xavier will be represented by Jean-Louis Dupont, the man responsible for steering Jean Marc Bosman to his historic court win.

As well as getting the ban overturned the pair plans on asking for financial compensation from UEFA because of the aborted AS Roma move.