Thierry – No!
November 21, 2009Oh the shame, the aggro from irate Irish supporters and even the FAI.
I genuinely believe that VaVaVroom Tel is embarrased by the way he manufactured the goal that sends Ireland out of the World Cup – and he should be, however, there is no way that FIFA will sanction a replay.
Just a couple of thoughts here;
1) If the events had been reversed, i.e. if the story was the same but it was Keane handling in the box for a pass to O’Shea to score, would FIFAs stance be the same. Er no, it wouldn’t would it because all Platini and Blatter wanted was to see France go through, and that way they generate more interest in the Cup and therefore line their pockets with more sponsors & advertisers cash.
2) I seem to remember that Ireland were awarded a bogus penalty against Georgia in the group stages, but there was no clammer to have the game replayed The game changed as a result of that goal just as much as the knock out.
3) Everyone capable of breathing knows that the modern professional game needs goal line technology and the video ref. That is apart from FIFA, who continue to state that they are going to put more match officials in place instead. Why? There is no coherent reason being offered, so you have to ask why. It is bound to be something to do with power, money or control, betcha.
4) I heard someone proposing that Henry should be banned from the World Cup……. get real. He may well get a ban for bringing the game into disrepute or whatever, but the World Cup is only a spectacle because of players of his ilk. That was why the ex Manc one trick pony from Portugal is all over the media and promotion for the competition – and he didn’t even play in the qualifiers!
So, I feel desperately sorry for the Irish, and it would have been good to have got through – but it was never going to happen from the moment that FIFA suddenly introduced seeding into the qualifiers – that showed their intent. If it hadn’t of been a Henry handball, you may well have seen Platini take out Shay Given with a snipers rifle before the end of the penalties.
Hi Noaxe
I’ve always regarded Terry Henners as one of the most elegant strikers to grace the Premiership. That volley over his shoulder with his back to goal against the mighty reds of Manchester from a few years ago was just about the most perfect goal to be scored.. since Giggs’ belter in the FA Cup semi’s v the Gooners, ironically.
But he had a sulk about him, especially in the latter couple of difficult years with the Arse which suggested that his focus was always about his role in footballing history. I was not unsurprised to note that during the period when France’s qualification for S.Africa 2010 looked most difficult, Henry’s criticism of the French team manager was at its most vitriolic. And come the critical play-off match v Ireland, I was equally unamazed that Henry should choose to prefer to be remembered as the guy who provided the
unmissable pass for his team mate to score the qualifying goal rather than admit to a clear hand ball.
The glorification is everything to him I sense. The sad reality is that he’ll be forever remembered, I think, as the lying cheating b’stard who robbed Ireland of a WC place (even though the Irish team’s performance didn’t really warrant it) rather than the most beautifully-gifted striker of his generation.
How sad is that? How impressive would it have been for him to deny the goal at the time and be forever associated (like Paulo Di Canio) with an act of sporting honesty/generosity/dignity? Let’s face it France were always likely to win any re-match.
Too late Thierry; my hidden love affair with Allez les Bleus just became Always the Blur. Dishonesty is the worst attribute in a man, especially in top level sport.
PP
ps and yes i’ve cheated at footie occasionally and have huge feet of clay. but i’d never want to win a match, of such importance, like that.
Hi PP
I too would have preferred TH to have held his hand up (in a much more positive way you understand) and admitted to his crime at the time. However, as you say he has become something of a faded diamond, and seems to emulate the mooching of Anelka – maybe it’s a French thing, or maybe it’s something that the Prof does to them.
Interesting to see that Wenger lost his temper at Anfield, hopefully this new, tougher La Prof will stop Cesc from going the same way as the Gauls, the Basques being a stronger race.
Chin chin, Old Boy
NoAxe
PS – Never saw you play in any manner other than genuine and honest.
Hi N
I quite like the new Arsene. i sincerely hope he manages to keep the best midfield player in the Premiership for a while longer. You sense that if Cesc were to be attracted back to Spain then Wenger might follow soon after. That would be a huge loss for the Prem’p.
pp
ps and you too doc re the footie