Attention IFK and our Swedish Residents

[Acornvilla]

Even the linesman can't watch everything which is why there should be video replays too.

There was so much happening in the box. The linesman had to watch 4 or 5 seperate things. The players who were in an offside position and whether they were interfering. Then Henry came from up really quickly behind McShane and I'd say the linesman didn't see him. The linesman was probably watching something else such as to see if those who were offside touched the ball and he wasn't looking at Henry at all.

I blame Henry pure and simple. He has done this before, as shown in the Champions League in 2006. This was not a once off action from Henry, it's clear he has experience of doing this and he absolutely did it deliberately. You could forgive the first touch with the hand and say it was accidental, but the second touch was clearly to gain an advantage using his hand.

Maybe it's too late to do anything for Ireland. But for decades now there have been dodgy goals given, good goals disallowed, suspect penalties awarded, players sent off in the wrong, good penalties denied, and still they won't introduce video evidence. It happens in every country, teams denied justice because of the lack of video evidence.

FIFA will never have any credibility until they introduce instant video evidence. The fans are demanding it, players demand it, the managers demand it, even the referees are demanding it.

and who is going to pay for it thats the major issue i think and also the possibility it will ruin the flow of matches. which it does sometimes in other sports.. i want it to happen too thou
now emmet go to bed

[OwlsFan]

Was at the game and didn't realise anything was untoward with the goal until I saw half the Irish team running to the referee. We then chanted "cheat" for the rest of the game without knowing what exactly had happened as we were at the other end.

Perhaps the referee should have gone to the linesman, pretended to have a chat and this would have given the 4th official time to review the tape and whisper in his ear "handball and offside".

Frankly, I knew when Duff missed the chance that we were doomed. That for me was the decisive moment. I haven't seen Robbie's 2nd chance (when he rounds the keeper) yet on video so I don't know how good that was but Duff reminded me of Houghton's last couple of minutes mis in Wembley.

Take that goal and we're through. Miss at best penalties, at worst the French will score. Seen it all before.

Replay? Lightening doesn't strike twice. We'd be beaten, probably 2-0.

Damien, Damien, Damien, why hast thou foresaken us? C'est sera sera.

[gspain]

In fairness to the referee he was straight. If he was corrupt he could have bought Anelka's dive.

It was a poor decision by a badly placed official. The linesman was worse as he had a perfect view and also missed the offside. The goal remember was also offside.

We lost and tough as it is to take the game is over. We won't be getting a replay but some day we'll benefit from a bad refereeing decision in a really crucial game.

Henry should lose his lucratuve marketing contracts. Blatter got what he wanted but at what price to FIFA's reputation.

[carloz]

The ref showed very poor judgement for the goal. All he had to do was buy himself more time. When all then Irish players came streaming out towards him to protest he could have simply gone over to his linesman to buy some time. Then maybe he might have made the right decision.

[OwlsFan]

We won't be getting a replay but some day we'll benefit from a bad refereeing decision in a really crucial game.

We got one against Georgia but in crucial games, I can't recall one. The fact is we failed to win it on the pitch when we should have. Holland 1-0 at home is the only qualifying game where I remember us doing what we HAD to do. Even without the Gallas "goal", it would still have been only 50/50 on penos.

[Innishvilla]

The ref had a pretty good game - should have booked Anelka and Lassana Diarra, but they are just two bookings, won't really change a game much.

I think the grief he's getting for the handball is unfair - referee's are clearly told that if you don't see it (and by implication your assistants) you can't award a free for it. So regarding the handball unless he could see the ball hitting Henry's hand or his assistant tells him, he can't make an assumption based on players reactions.

Speaking of referee's I thought the ref from the first leg Felix Brych, was outstanding - allowed teams to play and to tackle. Too many referees seem to have forgotten the idea of a "hard but fair" tackle...

[BigfeetBigsocks]

The ref showed very poor judgement for the goal. All he had to do was buy himself more time. When all then Irish players came streaming out towards him to protest he could have simply gone over to his linesman to buy some time. Then maybe he might have made the right decision.

Why did he need to go over to the linesman they have radio's to communicate with.... he probably already asked him did he see a handball or anything to disallow the goal and he returned saying no... so need to go over.

i personally think FIFA are going to be hypocrites as one there rewarding cheating and secondly they supported the use of video evidence in sending off Zindane in last world cup when it was the fourth officail who told the referee about the headbutt...if the fourth official had done this on wednesday we wouldn't have this injustice...

I am still sick to the stomach about what happened