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Latest update: 21/11/2009
- 2010 FIFA World Cup - FIFA - football - France - Ireland
Ireland concede defeat in replay bid
The Irish Football Association has given up its appeal to football's world governing body FIFA and to the French Football Federation to have the second leg of Ireland's World Cup play-off against France replayed because of Thierry Henry's handball.
By News Wires (text)
AFP - Ireland on Saturday conceded defeat in its bid to have a controversial World Cup play-off against France replayed.
Irish football chiefs had appealed to football's world governing body FIFA and to the French Football Federation (FFF) to have the second leg of the play-off replayed because of Thierry Henry's handball in the build-up to William Gallas goal which sent France to the finals.
Both FIFA and the FFF rejected the appeals and FAI chief executive John Delaney acknowledged in a statement that there was nothing else that could be done.
"We regret that despite our best efforts for a replay, which would have restored the integrity of the game in front of a world-wide audience, our calls appear to have fallen on deaf ears at the French Football Federation.
"Without doubt, the credibility of fair play has been damaged by this incident in front of a worldwide audience.
"Despite our deep disappointment, we thank our players, the wonderful Irish fans and the Irish public at large for their support, as well as the solidarity of the French people.
"We will continue to call on FIFA to take action to ensure that such damaging examples of cheating are not allowed to recur."
Gallas's late goal ensured the second leg of the play-off finished 1-1 with France booking their place in next year's finals 2-1 on aggregate.
But the manner of their qualification provoked an international outcry with even Henry, who has been pilloried as a cheat around the globe, joining calls for a replay as "the fairest solution," while French and Irish leaders became embroiled in the row at a European Union summit in Brussels.
The incident has strengthened the position of those who argue that referees need more help, either from video technology or extra officials, to get key decisions right in high-stakes matches.
One direct consequence of Henry's handball could be that matches at the World Cup finals next year are played with two extra officials positioned on goal-lines, a system that is being tried out on an experimental basis in this season's Europa League.
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Comments (11)
Shame
Shame Shame Shame.. The world Cup is becoming a big joke!
world cup quallifier
let's hope justice is served and france gets an early exit from the world cup
France v Ireland
Football is supposed to be Sport and that means fair play and not deliberate cheating.
France reached the Finals through a deliberate cheat. There should not be a replay. Cheats should be thrown out of the tournament and should not be permitted to take part in the next tournament as their penalty.
If the FFF had agreed to the replay request, that would have demonstrated that they do not condone cheating and there would be no need to impose an additional sanction.
Henry should receive a suspension for his deliberate foul play. He didn't just handle once but twice.
Why don't FIFA experiment with a Television Match Official as in Rugby for checking goalmouth incidents once play has stopped? It works well in Rugby and Cricket.
French soccer
Cheat is a cheat
Just install video refereeing
Just install video refereeing by the 4th official, end of problem.
French MUST do a match replay
Fairplay? Really? Where? Who? FIFA and FFF certainly do not really mean "fairplay" when it comes to real-life situations, do they? Certainly not. After all, we cannot expect anyone to be honest. Integrity? What a joke. If you can prosper cheating, then "just do it!" right? This is the lesson that Raymond Domenech (the man should be instantaly fired for his open dishonesty and post-match comments) and that 'world football star???' Thierry Henry, and French side captain, want us all to understand. Cheat. Lie. (Yes, lying by remaining silent is lying. Or play-acting as you celebrate a goal that should not be). Deceive. Laugh at your opposition and be sure to get all the money due to you.
This is the state of affairs in our world. Oui, once again the sporting world serves to illuminate for us how we humans really behave. Domenech, Henry, Gallas, Platini, even Sarkozy.
And we wonder why children do not grow up right. Why? Simple answer: When we adults can do the right thing, no, we just simply cheat.
To the people of France who care: It does not matter what FIFA wants. Arrange immediately a match with Ireland in a neutral stadium for the second week after new year. You do not need FIFA's permission to do this. Thierry Henry DOES NOT play. (And he should never again wear the captain's armband, serve as team captain.)
Replay the match. The winner goes to South Africa. Any other decision confirms to our children that "fairplay" is just a lie.
News Reports : Domenech Blocked Replay, FIFA & FFF in favour
The Irish Sunday Tribune and Sunday Independent are reporting in stories to be published tomorrow (November 22 2009) that FIFA and the FFF were going to agree to a replay. However they were blocked by French manager Raymond Donenech.
I was on a protest match today in Dublin and was interviewed by your correspondent Herve Armoric. He rightly asked what can be done now?
The French players could refuse to play for the national team until the replay is agreed. Strike action will break the impasse.
I strongly welcome the Thierry Henry and Arsene Wenger statements calling for a replay. Just the threat of a players' strike would cause a replay.
Look at it this way. Either team could win a replay, and if France triumph they will go to South Africa with best wishes from Ireland.
But if they go without a replay they will be marked with a huge stain - one of the most encouraging things about this event is the clear French popular support for a rematch.
Ciao,
John Meehan
Henry handball and Ireland
Ok, Henry fouled the ball and the goal should have been disallowed, but now it is time to move on. As an Irishman I would like to see our little team at the World Cup, but referees do make mistakes and Ireland has benefited from such mistakes in the past. France has a great team. France has a huge professional Football League that deserves its place on the world stage. I wish France the best of luck in 2010. As for myself I'm just going back to the pub here in West Cork to drown my sorrows in another drink.For 2010, Allez France!
Thomas McCarthy, Ireland
FIFA Has Put Profit Ahead of Fair Play
FIFA has just put profit ahead of fairplay and honesty. It's a shame
Sad day for France...!!!
Sad day for France...How can ye go to the World cup knowing ye cheated to get there....The world knows ye cheated and its an even worse day for FIFA as they cant even uphold the fairplay slogan they keep preaching....!!!
Heenry
Henry the Hero))))
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