Well there were precedents. In 2005 Fifa rescinded the match between Bahrain and Uzbekistan due to its "technical errors". Missed calls may be categorized as technical errors.
As a random aside, France's national football team has to be the greatest modern legacy of colonialism out there.
This is hilarious... <object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Skq3EibwrlQ&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Skq3EibwrlQ&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>
I am still shaking my head at what I am reading from the Haaretz on the Egypt-Algeria matches. Apparently a diplomatic row has erupted over the behavior of their fans and players during the last two matches. I find it hilarious that a game can turn into an international incident overnight. The France-Ireland row is benign and dare I say has been 'civilized' thus far.
Yeah, but it's almost bewildering to see a Senegalese back pass to a Malian midfielder who then presses it forward to an Antillean striker...and they all play for the same "national team". I have a soft spot for the French team, so for me I have to say that's probably the most positive legacy of colonialism I can think of, sordid as the whole affair was.
I don't get why Henry is getting label as this huge player. What, you wanted him to just give up on the play? In the NFL, players claim to have caught footballs when they definitely know that they didn't get it. Similar concept in any major league. It was definitely a missed call, but its just foolish to make Henry the villan. He did what he was supposed to, play on.
Feel sorry for Ireland, but s**t happens. Having a rematch is preposterous, and definitely won't happen. Can't really blame Henry, personally I think it was accidental, and just bad luck for the Irish.
The old joke in Argentina is that many governments have fallen when the footy team losses. It's a whole different level of fandom.
What is wrong with making him the villan? He is the one who CHEATED. What he was supposed to do is be a man and play fair. I don't get some of you, cheating is not being competitive, cheating is being a puss
There is a double standard I think. Most of US will diss the guy on roids or gain some other unfair advantages, like a false start or pushing, in a track race or swim race. However, come to basketball or soccer, cheating so long not to too bad are probably more acceptable. Maybe that's b/c the result of team sports doesn't just depend on one play, or maybe missed calls are just part of life. If the latter is explanation, then having a review system or making the game more fair will probably change fans' opinions.
Most of the new guys are first generation and actually acquired citizenship by going to football academies in Europe and excelling.
http://msn.foxsports.com/soccer/story/10407610/Irish-give-up-on-WCup-replay-over-Henry-hand-ball Irish give up on World Cup replay over hand ball Associated Press DUBLIN (AP) - Ireland has given up hope of a World Cup playoff replay against France because of Thierry Henry's hand ball. Henry's deliberate handling set up a goal for William Gallas in Wednesday's 1-1 draw that sent France to next year's tournament and knocked out Ireland. The Irish appealed to the French federation to agree to a replay but were turned down Friday. "We regret that despite our best efforts for a replay, which would have restored the integrity of the game in front of a worldwide audience, our calls appear to have fallen on deaf ears at the French Football Federation," Football Association of Ireland chief executive John Delaney said Saturday. "Without doubt, the credibility of fair play has been damaged by this incident in front of a worldwide audience." Although FIFA ruled on Friday there would be no replay, the Irish still made an official request to the French to back their case in a bid to get the world governing body to change its mind. The French responded by saying it understood the disappointment and bitterness of the Irish but the result could not be changed. Delaney said the FAI would urge FIFA to make sure the problem didn't happen again. "Despite our deep disappointment, we thank our players, the wonderful Irish fans and the Irish public at large for their support, as well as the solidarity of the French people," he said. "We will continue to call on FIFA to take action to ensure that such damaging examples of cheating are not allowed to recur."
