They say they are the rules; France and FIFA are happy now; time to move on. But if you step back and look at what actually happened and what was got away with it’s beyond a disgrace. Three referees didn’t see two handballs. Even if the rules stand, surely the referees should be accountable for such an outrageous oversight.
Well I for one am not happy to let it slide. I went straight to FIFA to register my complaint and even though twitter blocked my API, I DMed my way into getting the link out there. Here’s where you can go to make your voice heard
http://www.fifa.com/contact/form.html
Similarly frustrated people set up a Facebook fan page to demand an apology from Thierry Henry. As of posting it has almost 2,899 members.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Thierry-Henry-should-apologise-to-Ireland/213658717904?ref=mf
Update: it’s worth mentioning the fastest growing facebook page currently at over 152,000, a petition to have the game replayed:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Petition-to-have-IRELAND-Vs-FRANCE-REPLAYED/180940979795?ref=mf
Thierry Henry is on twitter at @Thierry_Henry if you want to leave him a message. [Update: this account is probably fake]
Dublin’s 98FM are taking calls from 6am for those wanting to get their spoke in.
We most likely will get nowhere. But I’m not going out without a fight. I want public recognition from FIFA of the error. I want an apology from France. Are you with me?
Ach, you’ll get over it. Ireland have benefitted from dodgy decisions in the past, and will do so again. Most other teams have been both shafter and shaftee in vital games at some point in their history.
(As a Scotland fan, I know we certainly have- Italy dumping us out of the 2008 Euro qualifiers in the last minute of the last game, from a free kick that never was, springs instantly to mind. Meanwhile, we scored with a bit of Joe Jordan handball assistance ourselves against Wales in 1977, to beat them to the 1978 Finals in Argentina.)
Sure, it’s ridiculous that we still don’t have video replays, although even the UEFA-style extra official behind the goals would probably have sufficed in this case. But until we do, controversial moments will always be part of the rich tapestry of football. And in a way, it would be somewhat poorer without them.
One thing’s for sure, an apology after an unjust defeat has never made anyone feel any better about it.
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/archive/germany2006/news/newsid=27212.html
Precedence of a World Cup Qualifying Game being Replayed due to referee error, worth citing in any complaint
Devastated! I havent seen them play that well in years!
they deserved to win in fairness and a bad desision ruled in the end tbh calum controversial decisions like the one last night dont add anything football, only anger and frustration.
Aidan - that’s very interesting. Maybe its only when its a direct mistake of the ref, and not something he’s missed that thet call it that way.
Efa, tcup - I know. It hasn’t got any easier.
Calum, I know you’re right, there’s always been bad decisions in football and teams treated badly as a result, it just takes getting used to.
But recognition would definitely make me feel better. Right now it feels like we’re being ignored because we’re small and not as important as France. With silence from FIFA and the refs and France’s jubilation, it just makes a mockery of the game and leaves a sour taste in my mouth. The World Cup is a highlight for me, and I’m used to Ireland not being in it, but right now I can’t see myself enjoying it next summer after last night.
Yes, we were cheated, there’s no worse feeling in sport, and it’s more obvious than ever that FIFA need to sort out some sort of video replay referee.
But let’s not kid ourselves. If it had been Robbie Keane doing the same up the other end to put Ireland through, he’d have had a statue on Grafton Street by Christmas.
I’m not denying that. Sport is primal at the end of the day.
No - can’t stand football and I am happy to say I have never seen a game in me life!
if robbie keane had done it would of been disallowed he was caught 4 times last night for it.
I’m with you, sent a contact form off to FIFA.
In case anyone is interested, and I’m not trying to advertise, I posted a review of the game and my thoughts on a replay and on the implications of Henry’s actions over on my blog.
http://sarxos.wordpress.com/2009/11/19/a-salute-to-the-boys-in-green/
http://sarxos.wordpress.com/2009/11/19/henrygate/
Suffice to say I believe that Henry’s position as a role model for kids has taken a battering.
Read Niall’s blog posts, very good !
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@ Peter How can you judge the sport if you’ve never watched a game before?
By the way, the We Irish Hate Thierry Henry facebook page has nearly 70,000 fans now. That’s 1 day since the match even took place…
Peter - each to their own etc.
tcup - I’ve no doubt. I’ve no faith in FIFA’s honour anymmore.
Keleher - fair play.
Niall - I’ll read them now.
Dermot - I’ve added in a link to the fastest growing Facebook page - seeking a rematch.
@ DermotBuckley - Very easily in fact.
@ bngr - Indeed - its obviously a big part of a lot of peoples lives
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