Following yesterday's dramatic events at Paris,there was a worldwide outcry for a replay to be played but FIFA,the so called world governing body to the game has let many Irish and neutral fans down by rejecting the proposal for a replay to the play-off games.
The incident which took place during extra-time saw France's captain and Barcelona striker,Thiery Henry delibaretly handling the ball to stop the ball from going out and then tapping the ball for a second time before assisting defender,William Gallas to score the equaliser that confirmed France's place at next years World Cup finals at South Africa.
The Irish who were down 1-0 at aggregate scored the only goal during normal time trough striker,Robbie Keane.Hard done by a deflected goal at Dublin,they started the game strongly and were fairly credited with the goal.Much of the same during the second half,but the Irish couldnt put the game to bed when first,Damien Duff failed to convert his chance followed by Robbie Keane later on.The equaliser meant all the efforts and the positive football played by them have gone to waste as the cruel reality of the game has taken its victim yet again.The reluctance of FIFA president,Sepp Blatter to allow video technology to be used at games meant the reputation of the game has suffered yet again.The reasoning which were given was because it will delay the flow of the game.Many football fans worldwide will surely prefer to wait a little while longer than to be outdone by cheats in the game.
With this incident,Thiery Henry which was once reverred as the most proffesional and complete footballer by many including me has tainted his image and will forever be remembered as a cheat,who helped his arrogant yet naive country to the World Cup Finals.As for me,I feel termendously sorry for the Irish fans,especially to the many who painted themselves green and travelled to Paris for the game and also for the millions other who love the beautiful game,as yet again another ugly footballer managed to put the game to shame.Together with this,all respect I ever had for Henry has gone as it did with Maradona .Finally to FIFA,who have often been a enemy of the game rather than protector and the political dummies who handle it,its about time to be practical and introduce Video review and Goal Line Technology (GLT) as I would prefer my country to be out of the World Cup rather than being there as cheats.
Au revoire.
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