Thierry Henry has backed calls for a replay of the Ireland-France World Cup playoff he helped decide with his now infamous handball, even though FIFA has already rejected a request for a replay.
"Naturally I feel embarrassed at the way that we won and feel extremely sorry for the Irish who definitely deserve to be in South Africa," said Henry. "Of course the fairest solution would be to replay the game but it is not in my control.''
FIFA already rejected the calls for a replay, citing the Laws of the Game, which clearly state that all decisions made by match officials are final.
Here are some other stories to get your Friday going:
BECKHAM BATTLES ANKLE INJURY AHEAD OF MLS CUP
LA Galaxy star David Beckham looks set to play in Sunday's MLS Cup final, but he'll battle through pain to do so.
Beckham took part in his first practice of the week on Thursday as he battles an ankle injury suffered in the Galaxy's Western Conference final victory against Houston.
Beckham and the Galaxy arrived in Seattle on Thursday night ahead of Sunday's MLS Cup Final vs. Real Salt Lake.
BARCELONA DUO HIT WITH SWINE FLU
French defender Eric Abidal and Ivorian midfielder Yaya Toure have been diagnosed with swine flu. Abidal was already sidelined by a thigh injury, but now he and Toure are battling illness as Barcelona prepares to face Athletic Bilbao a week before the highly-anticipated showdown vs. Real Madrid.
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What do you think of these story? Buying Henry's calls for a replay? Think the Galaxy can win MLS Cup with a hobbled Beckham? Hoping Henry is the next Barcelona player to catch swine flu?
Share your thoughts below.
There has to be a memo on Sepp Blatter’s desk titled “Ways to get France Into the World Cup.” The most frustrating part of this playoff charade is FIFA has bent over backwards to ensure France makes it to South Africa. Its pathetic. Ireland making it to the cup would have been a nice “screw you” to FIFA.
On another note, is Domench the only man in France more unpopular than George Bush?
Thank you, i completely agree. Everyone needs to cool their jets, especially when it comes to video replay. The game is extremely traditional compared to most sports and that is what i like about it. Football was changed once and now it is american football. I feel like if we open the door for replays and challenges we are just tainting the sport much more than henry’s handball ever will. Besides in soccer what comes around goes around, and i am sure before the sport is said and done France will have this happen against them or vise versa for ireland.
Ives, I’m not sure if I’m allowed to post links on here so delete it if I’m not.
I know Keane doesn’t like the FAI for backing McCarthy in 2002, but he is spot on in this.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/internationals/8370327.stm
FIFA is as corrupt as they come, and they’re serious about that.
The one question I don’t think I’ve seen discussed here is what would have happened if this had been an Irish goal? FIFA has already shown their bias toward the “bigger” countries by deciding to seed the UEFA playoffs. Would they have responded differently if France had gone out on such a call? Even if not, I am sure it would be much more likely that something would be done to make sure this didn’t happen again. As it is, it is hard to tell if FIFA are taking this seriously and will implement a system to keep this from being repeated.
Nonsense. If instead of handling the ball, Henry had been pushed or grabbed by an Irish defender, and the referee had not called it, do you really expect that that defender would run to the referee and said he committed a foul and a penalty should be given to France? Do you really think that defender would become the darling of Ireland?
Hey Ives…it was great meeting you last night at the Fox Sports Grill. My girlfriend also enjoyed meeting you and I think you may have another follower on here. Enjoy the rest of your time in Seattle.
(SBI-Great meeting you guys too. Hope to see you out at Kells tonight.)
All this hair pulling and teeth gnashing. Maradona’s “Hand of God” was just as bad if not worse. He’s still considered by many to be the greatest ever, and somehow the game survived. Get over it, move on.
Does he do this a lot?
Sound suggestions.
“Had the US been awarded the PK and Germany been reduced to 10 men, US probably would have won that game (although the PK would have only made it 1-1 at the time).”
Probably would have won that game? That is quite the assumption. It assumes that the U.S. would have converted the PK. It also assumes that the handball would have been declared intentional and that Frings would have been sent off. And then it assumes that because Germany was down to ten men that the U.S. would have had some almost-insurmountable advantage. It is Germany, after all.
“Let the 4 officials who missed the three infractions explain how they blew it. FIFA, NO.”
How would that clear anything up? Either they thought the ball played Henry’s hand (rather than the other way around) or they didn’t see it. Who cares which is the case, and what difference would it make to know? You have seen the replays and can make up your own mind.
Replay is easy. First, where a goal is counted, replay occurs automatically before the game resumes. Replay should be limited to the conduct of the goal scorer or one touch removed from the goal from another player. This would cover handball goals, “goals” that did not cross the line, offsides directly resulting in a goal, and goals where an infraction led directly to a goal (the Henry problem). Second, all called penalties should be reviewed prior to the kick to determine whether the player was in the area or if there was a dive. This review is not materially different than the “did he get two feet in bounds” review in NFL games. Both one and two above would not disrupt the flow of the game because the game would be stopped anyway. Third, uncounted goals due to a line dispute should be immediately reviewed as play continues. Where a goal clearly should have been awarded, play continues until the scoring team loses possesion of the ball or play is stopped for any reason. At that point, the ref stops the run play, counts the goal, and the ball is moved to the center per usual. This procedure is similar to the procedure used for hockey penalties. I would not review uncalled penalties, card judgments, or missed calls that are less direct than the goal scorer-immediate prior touch connection.
I wasn’t responding to your comment. I can tell the difference between sarcasm and unintended exaggeration.
Michael Jordan shoved Bryon Russell out of the way in the NBA finals to hit his iconic game winning shot over the Jazz. Clear offensive foul. But no ref was calling that on Jordan in that situation. Should Jordan have said “my bad. I committed a foul. Here’s the ball Utah.” No, and most people just use it as an example of how clutch he was, not that he got his space by committing a foul.
I do agree however that a better plan is needed. I’m not how replay would work, especially with the running clock, but they need to experiment. Even if it’s limited to just goal decisions and handballs/offsides, something should be implemented.
Henry’s even a bigger schmuck than I thought. I really hope he has to go through hell the rest of his career and never lives this down. Deserves every bit of it.
Such a stand up guy :]
The two actions that could clear up the controversy in Ire vs Fra have been rejected by FIFA. Why?
Let the 4 officials who missed the three infractions explain how they blew it. FIFA, NO.
Have a replay as an actual show of Fair Play. FIFA NO.
It’s crystal clear to me who wants to keep this in the dark.
Well, you don’t want it to take the place of the on-field referees doing their job. If it is used in a way that leads to refs not calling lots of fouls because they think a replay will correct it later, then it’s a problem. But, if there’s a once-a-game situation where the referee is reluctant to signal a penalty because he didn’t have the best view and the replay can fix it, then I’d be OK with it.
Yes, it was cheating, but the point was that there are multiple instances of “cheating’ in every game. The reaction here vilifying Henry is more than a tad overdone. As I pointed out in another comment, in some circumstances, cheating is actually praised — such as the so-called “professional foul”, deliberately grabbing or tackling a player to stop an attack. Honestly, I don’t see why that is “part of the game” and defenders are expected to break the rules in that case, but Henry is some awful scoundrel because he directed the ball down when it came right at his hand — probably more instinctual than calculated.
Yeah that won’t fly here. I don’t know how many championship games have been determined by an extra step or a double dribble. Scoring in Football is so rare especially at this level. Replays should be viewed by the 4th or even a 5th official. It isn’t that hard.
Stopping the run of play is the worst idea ever… I am in favor of “instant replay” but soccer can not take on the NFL instant replay model (and the comments about a challenge flag are just moronic).
I suggest that a 5th (yes 5th) official sits in a press box and reviews the plays via telecast. Seeing “instant replays” as quick, if not quicker, then we do watching the game. If the 5th official sees a clear infraction then he communicates it to the center ref over their headset (that the center ref already wears to communicate with his ARs). This way there is no stoppage of play, instead players continue to play until the whistle is blown. Just think…contact in the box? Play on…the 5th offical will make a quick decision whether contact was really made, or if it was a dive!
Can we all just agree to stop reacting to the things advocat says?
It isn’t the same, because the refs got the rule wrong — not the same as making a bad call. If they set a precedent for post-game challenges of bad calls, where do you draw the line?
What about mandatory review of goals and the build up to it? The players spend enough time celebrating that with proper replay some booth officials should be able to review calls and let the referee know. Same with whistles in the box. If the referee calls a penalty, that usually takes a bit of time to get set anyway, at which point booth officials can review and determine the legitimacy of the call. Stuff that happens in the middle of the field is a bit more problematic, but perhaps it should just be disregarded. The bulk of controversial calls occur in the build up to goals.
umm, my idea for a Petition is “tongue in cheek.” sarcasm. hyperbole. call it what you will. i don’t expect us to actually invade France. (but I can dream, can’t I?)
That’s my point. There are definitely plays that can be reviewed without totally disrupting the game. Have goals instantly reviewable — either by challenge or by the 4th or 5th official. Perhaps a challenge system could be used to set up review of problematic penalties — dives, mostly…but other scenarios could be reviewable. Perhaps wrong handball calls like the one in this year’s DCU-Galaxy opener could be overturned.
Like the NFL system, I’m not sure it can be used to overturn all calls. Offside infraction calls, even if they wrongly deny goals, probably should not be reviewable. If goals can be taken away for offside calls, the ARs will be probably be a little more circumspect in calling offside, so that won’t be as big an issue, anyway. It seems there ought to be a way to challenge a non-handball call in the box — like the one that did the USA in against Germany in ’02 — but, I could see where this might come so long after the infraction as to be a problem. I don’t have all the answers, but some replay system would be better than none at all.
Man. This is a bigger deal than when Germany handled the ball against the US in the 2002 quarterfinals. Had the US been awarded the PK and Germany been reduced to 10 men, US probably would have won that game (although the PK would have only made it 1-1 at the time).
I’m pretty sure intentional hands ball is an automatic red card, so it would seem reasonable the Henri should miss at least the first game in the World cup if red cards from qualifying carryover (don’t know if they do). Anyone who believe he didn’t do it intentionally is living in denial, but there are a long list of people who have intentionally handled the ball and nothing has been done about it. Obviously the worst one being Maradona because it was so blatantly obvious at the time.
Diving in the box, and intentionally using the hands to create or prevent a goal should have severe suspensions to prevent it. Right now, there are no rules for this so nothing will happen to Henri, but they should institute some rules and have them in place for the world cup to prevent something like this happening there.
There is an argument that precedent already exists. The situation may not be exactly the same, but it may have already opened the Pandora’s Box. http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/archive/germany2006/news/newsid=27212.html
Most of these athletes don’t fall into the vaccination priority groups. There is a shortfall of H1N1 vaccine worldwide, with thousands dying (most all with underlying medical conditions). However, “Swine Flu” for the majority of the public is no worse than your ordinary seasonal influenza. Just because they are a professional athlete does not justify them getting vaccinated before more “at-risk” groups.
FIFA should give Ireland a re-match.
I’m sorry you are unable to recognize right from wrong. Yes, it is cheating when a lineman holds the other player and doesn’t get caught. Same goes for travelling. Henry’s handballs, remember there were 2 not just 1, WERE premeditated. He intentionally used his arm/hand to control the ball. We all KNOW it. He should be penalized for bringing the game into disrepute. But, its FIFA, so he won’t be. I find it even more cynical that he has (after knowing he can have no affect on decisions “admitted” it was a handball and “called” for a repaly.
LUck of the Irish?
So, Henry’s a Joke because of this one instance, regardless of all the other great things he’s done in his career?
What’s it going to take for FIFA to change rules? One of the big boys have to be negatively affected.
I don’t know how much more harm to a team is necessary for action to be taken. A team is missing out on the World Cup because of an unseen handball, and FIFA sit and do nothing.
Sepp Blatter needs to get off his rocker and do something. Make a statement of any sort please.
The good news is fans of football can do something. Start a petition, email FIFA and intellegent, constructive comment (http://www.fifa.com/contact/form.html) get a movement started. I’m embarrassed by the result on Wednesday as a football fan. All this talk from FIFA about Fair Play, and they do nothing about this? Video technology or a fifth official MUST be included in the game. It’s imperative to the sport and it’s future.
Thanks for your supporting comment — and mostly for trying to help focus this on a constructive discussion.
He did, immediately. He said it should have been ruled a handball. He said the ref got it wrong. Now, he’s saying FIFA’s got its part wrong, too. Your antagonism here is what’s ridiculous. He handled the ball for an instant. I’ve seen players do a lot worse.
I STRONGLY agree with fischy. FIFA has already stated that they will not give a replay, as we all expected. However, this has GOT to be cause for starting a review process. I know many of you think this is something that will “ruin” the game, but if I think it is clear that incidents like this that are so obviously wrong/unjust are more likely to cause people to turn off/tune out. So, FIFA needs to do something to rectify this even if it is only for goal scoring plays. I know that there are many other arguments, e.g. a foul just outside the box before a shot is taken, but we need to address first things first. Either a video review or the additional AR behind the goal has GOT to be in place by WC2010.
Here’s the deal though, is an offensive lineman “cheating” every time he holds and it doesn’t get called? Is a basketball player “cheating” every time they take an extra step and it doesn’t get called? Is that person supposed to stop and say, “You know, I took an extra step, here’s the ball.” NO!! That’s the nature of the game. Sometimes calls get missed. Is it fair? No. But that’s just how it goes, that’s the nature of competitive sports.
So, Henry did not cheat. Cheating is premeditated, he probably didn’t say, “I’m gonna use my hand on this play.” He even admitted that it was a handball. Was it fair? No. Did the ref miss a call/make the wrong call? Yes. Is THAT Henry’s fault? NO!!
This is a lack of sportsmanship taken to an extreme in the heat of battle. While I certainly don’t condone it, how much worse is this than a dive that results in a PK? Diving and feigned injuries are already rampant in the sport at the international level, so your outrage over this incident is a little extreme.
With respect to replay, how log would it really take to get a resolution – 45 seconds, 60 seconds? We have guys that flop around on the ground longer than that…
First, everyone needs to calm down with this idea that FIFA is going to do something about what Henry did.
They are not.
Like Keano said, the powers that be got what they wanted, namely France in the world cup. They were never going to replay what was, in their eyes, a good result for their pockets. There will be no action taken against Henry going into next year’s world cup. They are hoping we all forget about it by then.
I think the FAI should absolutely file a lawsuit against FIFA and France for the money they lost in failing to qualify for the world cup. If I was Ireland, I’d drag this out and make sure I did everything I could to get this story on the front page, day after day.
You folks really are off your rocker on this one. In almost every game, I see examples of “cheating” that are at least as offensive as this play. Players are deliberately held, jerseys deliberately pulled, etc. Every game, some player is even praised for the so-called “professional foul” — taking down another player deliberately to thwart a strong attacking position. “This is more egregious” than vicious, career-threatening tackles? Are you kidding, or are you just suffering from runaway hyperbole disease? Perhaps, you watch too much FOX News and need to come back to reality, my son.
I agree. It’s ridiculous that Henry only mentions this after the official FIFA stance. It really is bogus. If he meant it, he’d have said it immediately. He just says it now to save face.
I’d rather hear the truth – that France won the game and too bad so sad Ireland is out. Because that’s what is actions caused and he sure as hell didn’t try to fix it then. I’d love to see him get a 5-10 match ban from competitive matches, i.e. World Cup games. He’s a joke and should pay one way or another.
What should we do with players who have scored goals when they have been clearly offside? Do we use the same process that you are proposing?
I agree with your statements. I think it is tough to stop the run of play to investigate an incident that had occured and no call was made. However, maybe there could be something similar to the NFL in the sense that if there is a stoppage of play, like there was for the hand ball, then a coach can issue a challenge on the play. Also, each team gets one challenge, regardless if the initial call is overturned or not. This could be used for fouls that could’ve been dives, deflections in the last minutes of the game that would give corners or goal kicks in cruicial moments, and even give the ref a chance to see if the ball crossed the line; as there has been many instances where goals have been wrongly allowed/disallowed. I’m really not a huge fan of instant replay in soccer, but i guess im trying to come up with a scenario that i’d feel comfortable with…
IVES: it’s time to use the power of SBI for good. I say we start a Petition and send it to the White House today to correct this latest case of FIFA injustice/corruption. You can word it something like this:
Dear Mr. Obama: we, the readership of SBI, request that you pull our boys out of Iraq and Afghanistan and INVADE FRANCE immediately. The French have stained the beautiful game and those filthy football cheats now deserve to experience a little “shock and awe.”
The integrity of the game demands it!
This is just another ploy by Henry the cheat. First to manipulate his team to victory, then pretend he’s in no way responsible because it’s up to the official to let him cheat, then to express his desire to replay the match after FIFA has already rejected the idea. “See, I’m not a disgustingly bad sportsman like my coach and Sepp Blatter. Please like me.” What a joke. Not that a replay would fix anything though. Blatter originally says there will be no seedings for the playoffs, only to change his mind when a few good nations are in danger of not making the Cup. I love that Given and Keane have straight up called him out for being a biased douche.
This long legged Mac daddy should resign. Retire from the game. Spare us the insignitites and sorrow. Please dont even consider joining the MLS. No respect for the game. I have played ball for over 40 year. I have never once violated the rules in that manner. Nor have I seen it in practice sessions. heck you wouldnt even see it in Brazilian street ball. Barca should take action against him. Integrity? This islander purported to be a “Frenchmen” is a disgrace to guadeloupe. i suggest a Henri jersey fire pit before the MLS final match.
It seems like a suspension for deception would be in keeping with recent FIFA tradition.
don’t these athletes take vaccines? I teach and they are pushing us to get them. I can’t imagine a club like Barcelona not taking care of their players.
On the Ireland-France situation —
You can’t make an exception to order a replay of this match. That’s a Pandora’s Box, considering how many games may turn on bad calls.
What fans can hope for is that Henry’s handball lights a fire under FIFA. Coming as it did at such a pivotal moment in such a crucial game — the play could have the same impact that the wrongly denied touchdown pass from Pastorini to Renfro in the ’79 AFC championship game had for American football. For those too young to remember, no sport used instant replay review at the time. Afterwards, the NFL admitted that the Oilers (I miss that team, even though their lunatic owner is still at it in Tennesee) were wrongly deprived of the TD, which might have changed the outcome of the game — and which team played in the Super Bowl. The league responded by instituting a replay system.
The NFL system has been changed several times over the years. Those that claim there is no perfect plan for instant replay in soccer are making the perfect be the enemy of the good. FIFA needs to start experimenting with replay immediately — have something in place with at least one league in January….or maybe in the MLS in March. The problem I see with MLS is that television coverage is not locked in for all games, making good replay coverage problematic — but the USA would be a good place to give replay a test run. American sports fans are so used to it, they expect it. Every other major televised sport has some system to review at least some plays. Soccer stands out negatively for not having any system to review any calls. That needs to change and MLS seems like a good place to start.