Windows 7: Ireland were robbed last night - World cup play off

Hi all
I've nothing against either the Irish or the French - but last night for all its posturing on fair play the decision to allow a blantently illegal goal to stand for the French in the final World Cup play off qualifier against the Rep. of Ireland was a TOTAL DISGRACE by FIFA.

A player who was in a totally offside position passed the ball with his HAND to Gallas who of course popped it into the net.

French player Henri - who is normally a real model of excellent play and all good things about football -- his times at Arsenal FC in London were full of scintillating quality play - whatever team you support even admitted he committed handball (probably not intentionally).

At the very least the game should be replayed - it's not like a normal league game where over a sesaon things happen and it evens out .
This was a World cup qualifier play off game - a one off leading to the World Cup itself in SA next year - FIFA's show case presenting the game to the whole planet.

What sort of example is this to the millions who play and enjoy the game every week at all levels.

Do we want to turn "the beautiful game" into the total mess and and shambolic state that a lot of other sports have become.

I'm glad that the Irish FA are pursuing this -- and as a small country (I can sympathize with them here) they really aren't concerned with the loss of money.

Cheers
jimbo

I saw the replay this morning on ESPN and there is no doubt he touched it. What are the chances that it will be overturned?

Hi there

about ZERO I should think -- half the bigwigs in FIFA are in the pockets of the French.

Cheers
jimbo

The incident is an absolute disgrace and just one more reason why the availability of video replay technology and "instant replays" with the addition of a "2nd" ref should be utilised in football.

The technology works perfectly in rugby union and has, in my opinion, been a great addition to the game.

Henri apologising after the incident won't change the result and FIFA won't allow a replay. I hope the French team go out first round in the WC

I think everybody should just get over it. If it was England or even Ireland that won it would have been OK.

Nearly everybody in that position would have done the same as it is World Cup participation. And don't try and tell me it is not so.

I hope the French last longer than all the Holier than Thous.

Absolutely none.

Hes a total diving, cheating useless excuse for a footballer. Im not irish but i hate when players dive or cheat and so i feel sorry for the Irish. He should recieve a five match ban or something for bringing the game into disrepute.

But anyway Henry has been cheating all his career. Just type into youtube henry diving and have a look, heres an example:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48Kxo...eature=related

Roy Keane believes Ireland have only themselves to blame for failing to qualify for the World Cup and said they should "get over it". In a withering attacking on John Delaney he has accused the FAI chief executive of double standards in trying to get the game against France replayed.

Keane also refused to condemn France captain Thierry Henry, who handled the ball in the build up to their winning goal, and instead pointed the finger of blame at Ireland’s poor defending and earlier wasted chances.

“Ireland had chances at Croke Park and in Paris but didn’t take them," the former Ireland captain said. “France were there for the taking but Ireland never grabbed it – as usual.

“They were afraid of that next step and were mentally not strong enough. They can complain all they want. That is not going to change anything. France are going to the World Cup –get over it. They want sympathy as usual. It is the usual carry on and it is boring.”

“It was instinct for Henry. Would I call him a cheat – no I wouldn’t think so," he said. "Did he bend the rule a little? – Maybe. You see cheating going on all the time in games. Nobody wants a cheat.

“I wouldn’t agree that Henry is a cheat. He is a top, top player who took advantage of the situation.”

Roy Keane: 'Ireland have only got themselves to blame' | International Football - Times Online

Personally, I think that sport these days relies too much on the video playbacks. Years ago, players accepted the referee's decision. Whether the decision was right or wrong was, in some cases, a matter for debate. But it was accepted that their decision was final based on what s/he heard and saw at the time.