France V Ireland - Wednesday, 18th November 2009 - World Cup 2010 Playoff Second Leg

[GalwayRed]

Unfortunatly this is clutching at straws. We wont get a replay for this. The rules are there for all to see. Its absolutly horrible that we were knocked out like this but we will just have to live with it.

[Scram]

So every time video evidence shows a referee mistake, there will be a replay?! WOULD YOU ALL GROW UP AND STOP ACTING LIKE THE ENGLISH FFS!!!

[Den Perry]

There shouldnt be a replay, its done and dusted. It happens in different degrees every weekend in leagues all over the world. Maybe it will be the final call for Fifa to bring in video evidence. Next thing that idiot Cowen will be jumping on the bandwagon calling for the match to be played again.

I agree. There shouldn't be a replay. Whats done is done. You just cannot go around changing the results of matches.If they give in to this, what's to stop them replaying matches where an offside goal proves to be a winner? where's the differance?If we get one though, I'll take it!!

That said, I still feel Henry is a cheating, cowardly little runt.

[HarpoJoyce]

A replay is the best option as it would be the justice we deserve after last night and i'm sure the French would'nt mind playing a replay as they would like to qualify fairly for the world cup

You should be careful what you ask for.

A ninety minute replay means Rep. of Irl starting one-nil down on aggregate, cancelling out Robbie Keane's record goal and the match will be held in a neutral arena like Monaco.

Me I'd love a replay. Record number of games played by a UEFA member in a FIFA World Cup qualifying tournament. (France would have their hand on the record too of course).

[Mr A]

Looks like Dermot Ahern (taking a well earned break from drafting blasphemy laws) decided to go for a populist call for the FAI to demand a replay and the FAI, probably with an eye on future relations with those with their hands on the purse strings, have lobbed in a complaint to stay onside with them. It's going nowhere though. Right or wrong, the ref's decision is final. The laws can't be changed retrospectively.

[IsMiseSean]

I have lost faith in football....

[FarBeag]

There will be no replay. The game is finished, Henry cheated and France are still going to the World cup.

[Den Perry]

I think its interesting that the world is taking note and FIFA's rep is tarnished as a result of the rigged draw that did not gain as much attention as it should have originally.

I'm proud that Keane had the balls to say something.

Hopefully something good will come of this.

lads, re robbie's comments and the seeding, did they definitely change the rules here? Some guy from FIFA on radio this morning saying that the seeding was decided upon in 2007 for the play-offs in this qualifying competition.

Anybody confirm for me?

thanks

[dahamsta]

I think FIFA needs to be disolvewd and a new world football body create with a new world cup not run by cheats, because they are h appy to accept cheatiing as part of the game.

Screw the new body, bring the UN in to manage it! UNHCR on video, players to wear blue helmets at all times (health & safety).

[Bottle of Tonic]

It's a minor enough point amongst all this handball/replay talk but Trap mentioned something I've been on about for a while. The playing of extra time when level at the end of a two legged tie. So 30mins more home advantage for one side. This needs to be changed. Two 90 minutes. Then a replay or straight to peno's.

[dr_peepee]

lads, re robbie's comments and the seeding, did they definitely change the rules here? Some guy from FIFA on radio this morning saying that the seeding was decided upon in 2007 for the play-offs in this qualifying competition.

Anybody confirm for me?

thanks

Nah!! There's something up there cos Blatter himself only said something recently on the matter saying he should have cited the ruling earlier, or something to that effect.

[irishultra]

does it not make sense to have seeds given preference in a playoff? they battled their way to get to that position and if we had been better in the past we might have been first seeds.

[Arnold Layne]

While we're at it, we can replay the Ireland v Georgia game. Remember the penalty?

Bad decisions happen in football, some for you, some against you. There won't be a replay, get over it.

[Den Perry]

Nah!! There's something up there cos Blatter himself only said something recently on the matter saying he should have cited the ruling earlier, or something to that effect.

thanks Dr

[centre mid]

does it not make sense to have seeds given preference in a playoff? they battled their way to get to that position and if we had been better in the past we might have been first seeds.

Thats a fair point but I think the greivence is that FIFA seemingly only decided that was the dase when it was becoming clear that Germany, France, Russia & Portugal were in danger of not qualifying so therefore moveing the goal posts to suit them.

[christo]

I wish we'd just let it go.

We got shafted, but we, through the FAI, signed up to the rules of the game as they stand.

Whether the rules change going forward is a question for another day.

If we let the thing go then the rules won't change in the future

[Maroon 7]

does it not make sense to have seeds given preference in a playoff? they battled their way to get to that position and if we had been better in the past we might have been first seeds.

Seeds are seeded before the draw for the groups. If they haven't been good enough to live up to their seeding and end up in the playoffs I don't think they should gain the benefit of being seeded again.

That said nobody would have minded a jot if FIFA had made the rules clear before qualifiying rather than making it up as they went along.

[Bottle of Tonic]

does it not make sense to have seeds given preference in a playoff? they battled their way to get to that position and if we had been better in the past we might have been first seeds.

It keeps the strong strong. I hate it.

[Bottle of Tonic]

Delaney doing alright here on SSN!

[Den Perry]

It keeps the strong strong. I hate it.

as I said, I don't think we should look for a replay. However, we should go to the ends of the earth to ensure Henry gets a sizeable ban for what he did. I'm angry enough that he handled, but to claim afterwards it was unintentional is an insult to our intelligance. A very cowardly thing to do, because he knows he'll probably get a ban if he admits it.