Ireland Cheated Out of World Cup when Handed a Tie

Yesterday Ireland was denied a spot in the 2010 World Cup after a 1-1 tie with France. France won the first game 1-0. With a 1-0 lead after 90 minutes, Ireland forced an overtime for the series. With 17 minutes left, Thierry Henry batted the ball down with his hand and kicked it to William Gallas who headed the ball in, tying the game at 1-1 and pulling France ahead by an aggregate score of 2-1. With many controversial calls, one team can see a call one way, while the other will disagree. No one, however, is disputing this handball. Not even Henry who admitted it was a handball after the game. It seems that everyone knew this was a handball except for the people who mattered most, the referees.

One issue that has been debated by FIFA is the use of video replay in soccer. No doubt this issue will be brought up again after this blown call. The fact that someone could miss a call this obvious in a game this important is unacceptable. Replay never seems to be seriously considered until a major blown call calls the issue into question. The standard argument will be used of how it slows down the game, but in every sport in which it has been instituted, rules have been put in place in order to ensure quick and, most importantly, correct decisions are made.

This game has shown that on the field decisions are just not good enough. Calls this obvious and this important should be called right. The suggestion that the referee should have asked Henry if it was a handball is ridiculous. It is not the player's responsibility to make sure a game is called correctly. Nor is it fair to put a player in that position. Had Henry said it was a handball, it could be argued he betrayed not only his team, but his country. Had he denied it, the play still would have been incorrectly called.

At this point, Ireland has few options. The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) has lodged a formal complaint asking for a rematch. It is unlikely that this will be granted as this would set a disastrous precedent. This, however, is a problem FIFA cannot simply ignore. Martin Hansson, the Swedish referee who called the game has been blasted by his own countrymen. One newspaper wrote "There will be no World Cup for Ireland and I assume that Team Hansson has also forfeited its right to continue to take charge of major international matches. Anything else would be a further insult to the Irish nation." Ireland's outrage has also called into question the European playoff process. Eight teams qualified for a two-legged playoff to determine the last four European slots for the World Cup. Ireland captain Robbie Keane has criticized the late decision by FIFA to seed the eight teams, which ultimately favored the bigger, more popular national teams. FIFA was originally not planning on seeding the teams at all. Keane claims the decision to do so came when FIFA saw France, Portugal, and Germany could all potentially be forced into the playoff round which may have meant a playoff between two of these teams. Simply saying Ireland was the victim of a bad call will not be good enough to sweep these issues under the rug.

The ultimate solution will most likely be the institution of video replay in either the 2010 World Cup, or in future international matches. Hansson will most likely not be allowed to call any World Cup games and I doubt he'll be watching the games from any Irish pubs. I doubt FIFA will care about Keane's accusations. While it is unfair, you can't blame FIFA for wanting the best teams to make the World Cup. If anyone, however, watched the game yesterday and saw Ireland dominate the second place team from last World Cup, there could be no question that Ireland had earned their spot. If it weren't for Henry giving the French a hand, the Irish might have been celebrating a world cup berth in South Africa.