Replay/Extra team distracting from real issue

[rerun]

With all the talk about a replay or the FAI requesting an extra berth in WC 2010, I think that we are being distracted from the real issue here.

There will not be a replay. Fact.
There will be 32 teams competing in SA. Fact.

What the FAI should be focusing on is having Thierry Henry banned for the competition. Now, personally I think Henry is an incredible player, I don't like what he did, but to be honest, I'd imagine there's a lot of sneaky handballs in every game. The match ended up 1-1 and we got knocked out, c'est la vie.

However, the fact remains that a precedent was set when Eduardo was banned for diving against Celtic. The referees decision is final, we have to accept that, but in a case where there is evidence that a vital decision was missed because the player was trying to deceive the referee, action should be taken.

I might be wrong, but I haven't seen anyone mention a ban. All I've heard of late is Sepp Blatter consoling Henry and saying it was the refs fault.

[tiktok]

I actually think the real issue is putting something in place so it doesn't get repeated.
e.g. refs behind the goal, video technology, managers having a certain number of challenges per game as in tennis.

Wasn't that Eduardo ban overturned in the end?

[Noelys Guitar]

With all the talk about a replay or the FAI requesting an extra berth in WC 2010, I think that we are being distracted from the real issue here.

There will not be a replay. Fact.
There will be 32 teams competing in SA. Fact.

What the FAI should be focusing on is having Thierry Henry banned for the competition. Now, personally I think Henry is an incredible player, I don't like what he did, but to be honest, I'd imagine there's a lot of sneaky handballs in every game. The match ended up 1-1 and we got knocked out, c'est la vie.

However, the fact remains that a precedent was set when Eduardo was banned for diving against Celtic. The referees decision is final, we have to accept that, but in a case where there is evidence that a vital decision was missed because the player was trying to deceive the referee, action should be taken.

I might be wrong, but I haven't seen anyone mention a ban. All I've heard of late is Sepp Blatter consoling Henry and saying it was the refs fault.

Arsenal's lawyers got that Eduardo suspension thrown out. Tells you how things actually work. In this case Uefa caved in. I know the FAI can't bring a law suit. But there is nothing to stop individuals doing so.

[Junior]

Wasn't that Eduardo ban overturned in the end?

It was overturned yes, on appeal. But I think there would always have to be a right to appeal - so that doesn't detract from the point in my view.

The fact that UEFA did impose a retrospective punishment based on Eduardo 'cheating' is the key point here.

[twoenz]

Wasn't that Eduardo ban overturned in the end?

It was. The official line was that it would open up a whole can of worms.

[Emmet7]

Henry will not be banned for the duration of the competition, fact.

[Junior]

Henry will not be banned for the duration of the competition, fact.

Does anyone actually think that would have been the case?

Emmet: Breaking news - man landed on moon.

[Stuttgart88]

Sunday Telegraph called for a tournament long ban. Off the mark in my opinion.

I said here that he should get a 2 to 3 game ban for "gross unsporting behaviour" the same charge that got Materazzi a 2 game ban after the 2006 WC Final I believe.

I thought Edoardo's ban was overturned because a video replay provided by Arsenal showed some minor contact from Boruc and thus introduced an element of doubt. There could be no such doubt over the Henry incident.

[Emmet7]

It would be nice to see him banned but the chances are zero.

When it comes to the handball, FIFA saw nothing, heard nothing. It's the ref's fault in their eyes.

They could only ban Henry if they admit he did something wrong. So far I have yet to see them come out with a clear statement to say Henry did something wrong and should be punished.


Does anyone actually think that would have been the case?

Emmet: Breaking news - man landed on moon.

I really don't know how to respond to this...maybe I will just leave it.

[Alf Honn]

It was. The official line was that it would open up a whole can of worms.


How ironic it is that amongst the UEFA sub-committee that banned Eduardo was a one John Delaney. He surely knows about a can of worms then.

[fionnsci]

Deliberate hand ball is a bookable offense regardless of context or consequences. Not even a red card offense yet people want a tournament long ban?!

Let's just hope something good comes out of the fuss kicked up, proper seeding for next play-offs, additional assistant referees, tarnished reputation for Henry......

[geysir]

Diving in the box to win a penalty, if spotted by the ref, is a yellow card offense but deemed worthy of a 2 match ban afterwards. Same should apply to Henry

Btw, I see that Eduardo has rehabilitated himself since that near ban.

[Noelys Guitar]

Full story here.
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/eduardo-escapes-ban-as-legal-case-takes-a-dive-1787370.html

And here is Blatter saying the Chelsea player buying ban is 'final'.
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/blatter-says-chelsea-ban-is-final-1784369.html

Chelsea got that overturned.

[Murfinator]

Joke of an organisation. I don't know about other people but I'm finding it hard to give a crap about this sport anymore after all this. I knew this kind of corruption and injustice went on in the past but you only really appreciate it when it hits close to home.

[Stuttgart88]

If they're not careful FIFA will run the risk of the perceived (lack of) integrity of the WC affecting its commercial potential. It'll take more than little Ireland being affected for this to happen but this issue has had global attention because of Henry's profile.

Serie A has been totally dominated by the EPL in the last decade, one factor being the difference in perceived integrity. The outcome of a match in the EPL is pereceived as being unaffected by outside influence, the exact opposite of what happened in Italy.

Uncertainty of outcome is a critical facor in a sport's success.

[peadar1987]

Cheating has no place in the game we love. FIFA need to start examining video evidence and handing out retrospective bans for every instance of diving, deliberate handball, off-the-ball elbows, etc. See how quick certain players are to stick out a hand or take a deliberate tumble when they know they'll miss two matches and get a fine because of it.

I know we won't be at the world cup, I'm not that deluded, but I do hope that something good can come of this mess, so no team, be it ourselves, Uzbekistan, or even France, ever has to be the victim of such a disgraceful farce again.

This is what the FAI should be pushing for, in the interests of "fair play", not embarrassing us on the world stage by pushing for things that are never going to happen.

[ArdeeBhoy]

If they're not careful FIFA will run the risk of the perceived (lack of) integrity of the WC affecting its commercial potential.

The outcome of a match in the EPL is pereceived as being unaffected by outside influence, the exact opposite of what happened in Italy.

Uncertainty of outcome is a critical factor in a sport's success.


A good point.

But guessing there's been match-fixing in 'top' football for decades from domestic leagues to World Cup games, though proving it is obviously much more difficult. There has to be a way of proving this, so any links welcome.....

FIFA deserve to have every ounce of their tattered credibility put through the mincer.

[ramondo]

IMHO the real issue is that Ireland team still don't have the mental strength to beat a big team away. A second goal and we would have been on our way, and deservedly so. The game was there for the taking.

[Emmet7]

I believe had something similiar to the following happened, everything would have been sorted on the night and everyone could hold their heads high.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3fhhzrjRUw&feature=related

[rerun]

IMHO the real issue is that Ireland team still don't have the mental strength to beat a big team away. A second goal and we would have been on our way, and deservedly so. The game was there for the taking.

Apparently, and I might be wrong here, but under FIFA rule 1098.4.9.12 subsection a, paragraph b, "in the event of an aggregate draw involving France at home, the aggregate score will stand and France will be awarded a 3-nil win."

Seems pretty watertight to me ;)

[DannyInvincible]

I believe had something similiar to the following happened, everything would have been sorted on the night and everyone could hold their heads high.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3fhhzrjRUw&feature=related

Well no, not really. If France had let us score immediately after, that would have created complications due to the away goals rule. The tie would have been turned from being even on aggregate before the handball to Ireland being in the lead on away goals after France letting us score as some sort of redress, meaning France would have needed to score again to prevent themselves from being knocked out. Bit of a silly notion if you think about it. Not that it was ever likely to happen anyway given Henry's wild celebrations as soon as Gallas knocked the ball over the line.

[peadar1987]

Well no, not really. If France had let us score immediately after, that would have created complications due to the away goals rule. The tie would have been turned from being even on aggregate before the handball to Ireland being in the lead on away goals after France letting us score as some sort of redress, meaning France would have needed to score again to prevent themselves from being knocked out. Bit of a silly notion if you think about it. Not that it was ever likely to happen anyway given Henry's wild celebrations as soon as Gallas knocked the ball over the line.

Are you sure? I was under the impression that the away goals rule didn't count during extra time. It would make sense, as it would give Ireland an extra 30 minutes to score an away goal, which would be unfair on France (and FIFA wouldn't allow that!)

[Stuttgart88]

No, away goals count in extra time. Just the way it is.