Yeah, there a few people on Sky Sports News after it happened saying that any player would have done it in order to go through. Which is ridiculous, and I'd hope, not true. If it is then what's good sportsmanship all about?
It just makes me wonder what would have happened had it been the other way round or if it had been England instead of Ireland. Do you think it would have been different?
I'm gona come off bitter here no matter what I say but I suppose I kinda am.
If it had been the other way around the goal would have been disallowed because a)two players were offside when the ball was played and b) the ref would have questioned his other officials if the French players had protested like the Irish did.
If it had been England? They would have gotten their rematch.
Ireland are nobodies to Fifa and Uefa. Sepp Blatter showed this week exactly what he thinks of us.
I can almost get Henry handling the ball, because that does happen every week in football. What I don't get is his celebration of that goal, which I think was a disgrace. It's just a shame that the sport has now endorsed cheating. Regardless of us not being in SA this summer, that is the real worry about this whole thing.
And I totally agree about the consequences of FIFA's decision here. Many of the sports pundits were concerned about something like this happening in the World Cup final and what would be done then. There's just a string of things happening at the moment in the game that shows something needs to be done with the whole refereeing system. Too many things are happening, with decisions being made when they shouldn't and not given when they should be and each time it costs the team on the receiving end more and more. From three points in a league game to places in the World Cup.
Out of interest has anyone heard anything of whether those extra officials (not that they make much difference) will be used in the World Cup?
Well yeah, here in the states during the draw the commentators actually said that diving was an "acquired skill" and acted like it was something to be praised if you have the presence of mind to do it when it will benefit your team. That's disgraceful for someone who is arguably the most recognized person in US soccer to say on national television during the draw ceremony for an event that's supposed to be about fair play. Yes, hand balls happen all the time, but this isn't Bolton v Wigan, this is the World Cup. This was a MAJOR oversight that had a HUGE impact. What does this teach kids about fair play? That is gets you nothing.
Well, yeah, look at Sir Alex. Okay, I know it's your team and all, BUT the refereeing was all fine and dandy when it was going ManU's way. When the tide turned suddenly it wasn't so great anymore.
Personally I hate seeing a team that worked really hard to qualify get shafted for a team that played piss poorly. BUT I hate this trend in football more. AND I hate that too many people just don't care or think it's a big deal. Cause it IS a big deal. It's like the flippin' Patriots. They cheat but no one cares, it just gets shrugged off.
Well, yeah, look at Sir Alex. Okay, I know it's your team and all, BUT the refereeing was all fine and dandy when it was going ManU's way. When the tide turned suddenly it wasn't so great anymore.
Personally I hate seeing a team that worked really hard to qualify get shafted for a team that played piss poorly. BUT I hate this trend in football more. AND I hate that too many people just don't care or think it's a big deal. Cause it IS a big deal. It's like the flippin' Patriots. They cheat but no one cares, it just gets shrugged off.
Sepp Blatter has said that it won't happen in this World Cup - BBC Sport - Football - No extra officials for World CupOut of interest has anyone heard anything of whether those extra officials (not that they make much difference) will be used in the World Cup?
You can already see the game deteriorating as far as say, set plays. David Beckham isn't really so fantastic at corners, but people have LOST the ability. If you look at the last generation of players, everyone (hyperbole of course) could take a corner.I agree about Fergie. It's true but it's true for Wenger, Benitez and pretty much every other manager.
I love Roy Keane, we all know this, bit his reaction disgusted me. Everyone has just accepted cheating as part of the sport now and expects everyone else to just get over it.
All it does is generate of feeling of indifference and discontent. Young athletes coming up are being bred to forget about ingretity and throw the rule book out. I just feel like, what's the point? All the Irish pundits were saying we just have to look to the Euro's in 2012. Yeah that's great but what do we do if something like this happens again, which in fairness, it has every chance of.
I ahve yet to hear a satisfactory response from the people with power within the game.
You can already see the game deteriorating as far as say, set plays. David Beckham isn't really so fantastic at corners, but people have LOST the ability. If you look at the last generation of players, everyone (hyperbole of course) could take a corner.
But even if you look at France - why the hell would you want to win that way? If it was me, I'd be demanding a replay. It's like Chelsea v Liverpool in the...what was it, FA Cup 2006? The exact match has fallen out of my head right now, but I didn't want Chelsea to win that way then.
Q-tip agrees: America will beat England.
Not likely .