I was wondering if you could use the D-Pad on Fifa 08 on PS3 instead of the analogue sticks to control the players???

Yes u can, but u have to use a playstation 2 controller (with the adapter). The in game controller options don't support the d-pad 9 actually they are very useless too), but as I said use a ps2 controller (mine is Dualshock 2 with a ps2-ps3 adapter) and u should be fine.