FIFA Fair Play Code

**spin** · 20/11/2009, 9:46 AM

Article 1 of the FIFA Fair play code reads as follows:

"Winning is without value if victory has been achieved unfairly or dishonestly. Cheating is easy, but brings no pleasure. Playing fair requires courage and character. It is also more satisfying. Fair play always has its reward, even when the game is lost. Playing fair earns respect, while cheating only brings shame. Remember: it is only a game. And games are pointless unless played fairly."

This gets to the heart of the matter. The 'closed shop' mentality of the football world where pros and ex-pros are reluctant to call a spade a spade and denounce Henry as a cheat for fear of greater scrutiny of their own actions risks damaging irreparably the image of football and sport in general. The Corinthian Spirit appears to live only in a mythological past.

The French are hiding behind the referee. Many of the Irish too. That is unfair and cowardly. Yes the ref got it wrong, but he is only human, couldn't see through a crowded penalty area and was undoubtedly influenced by the reaction of Henry, Gallas and, to a lesser extent, a vociferous home support.

To be fair to the ref, he has to be sure of a reason not to award a goal and if neither he nor his linesman (who was on the opposite side of the pitch) saw the handball(s), they couldn't refuse the goal. Perhaps he should've spoken to Henry, but he would've had to find him first. No sooner had the ball gone in and he was sprinting off down towards the Champs-Elys�es to celebrate qualification.

A handball such as Henry's initial touch can happen instinctively. His second touch, when he rolled it onto his foot, demonstrated intent. However, it is the manner of his celebration that underlines his intention to defraud. He revelled in making a mockery of the ideals of sport, sportsmanship and fair play.

To continue to insist on a refereeing error, as Domenech has done this morning and as J-P Escalettes (President of the FFF) did last night, is obfuscation if not down right dishonesty. The reason the world is so outraged is because of the blatantly dishonest and reprehensible manner of the goal. The Irish team, football, sport and the reputation of France have all suffered as a result this odious act.

Some in the football world have snarled when it is put to them that Henry should've owned up on the spot to the ref. Why snarl? Of course he should've owned up. After all, it is only a game. Any further success achieved by France after this will be tarnished by the manner in which they qualified for the World Cup.

Think of the example this sets to kids all across the world. In playgrounds and parks everywhere people will be trying something similar and retorting 'the ref didn't see it' and 'if Henry can do it, so can I.' That is the real tragedy in all this. It's a crying shame that Ireland won't be going to the World Cup, but it's an even greater shame that football, and sport in general, has suffered irreparable damage in this affair. The only lesson that can be taken from this is that cheats prosper.

It is up to the FFF and Henry to step up to the plate, apologise and offer a replay. In the unlikely event that that happens, I would accept defeat, even a heavy defeat. I would rather lose in a sporting manner and see some dignity return to the sport than retain this bitter taste in my mouth.

**Greenbod** · 20/11/2009, 11:00 AM

Excellent post! well done.

**Murfinator** · 20/11/2009, 11:19 AM

FIFA are full of crap, full of empty words and ideals. Cheaters prosper in this game like no other and they're too afraid because of the money and power behind this game to step in and do something about it.