For several years now FIFA has been pushing its Fair Play programme around the world. So much so that we even see players in the state league shake hands prior to a game. But this whole program is now in the balance thanks to Thierry Henry’s handball in the World Cup Qualifier against the Republic of Ireland.
What are FIFA to do? If they replay the game it will open doors for games the world over to be replayed when players admit foul play and officials miss the incident.
If they allow France to get away with such blatant cheating then their Fair Play programme is in tatters.
Not only that should France – which is highly unlikely – win the World Cup in South Africa next year it will tarnish the tournament, as everyone knows that they do not deserve to be there in the first place.
What is the right thing to do?
Will FIFA make a stand and set a precedent, and simply hand victory to the Irish? That would be a bold move, especially when it was in fact two Frenchmen who invented the World Cup.
Something has to be done and it has to be done quickly, in other words in the next 24hours or the game will be made to look foolish.
If they do replay it, will the English request a replay of the Argentina v England game in 1986 which saw Maradona’s infamous ‘hand of God’ goal assist in securing victory for the Argentines who then won the World Cup?
Of course FIFA trialled goalline techology in the youth championships a few years ago with the referees watch beeping if it crossed the line.
Two referees as per hockey may be the way to go especially with the pace of the game.
You raise vaild points
FIFA can not and should not do anything about the result of the match, as you stated, it would open a can of worms with request for matches to be replayed.
This is however an issue of their own making, in recent years the discussion and trial of goal line technology, extra referees assistants and video technology has spread far and wide. Yet we’ve yet to see anything actually change in the officiating of the game.
Avoiding the arguement for and against video technology, in the least a referee on the by line would have seen the handball and would be best placed for viewing other contentious issues such as ingringements in the box (especially the often overlooked grappling at corners), detecting whether it is a corner or goal kick, whether the ball crossed the line of the goal, obstruction on the keeper (rather than the current benefit of the doubt often incorrectly going to the keeper) and penalty decisions.
Dare I say it, this is one area that Footy actually got right by increasing the number of referees (umpires).
Agreed. Doubt they will do anything and once again FIFA back the big boys over the little guy. The sad thing is the Irish will be better supporters than the French at the event!
Not a lot they can or will do. I expect them to bury their heads in the sand and ride the storm out.
Typical FIFA, by seeding the teams in the play off they wanted France there, so no way now they will do anything to change that.
Shame really, especially as Ireland were the better team.