Bleacher Report - France (National Football)

Video Technology and Whether it Should Be Introduced in Football?

Barney — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 13:12:32 -0500

It has been just three days since Thierry Henry used his hand to help send France through to the 2010 World Cup, but already it has passed into international folklore.

The furore surrounding the incident has been unprecedented, and has raised a number of questions to which many are demanding answers.

One long-running debate it has re-opened is about the use of video technology.

This argument seems to be raised numerous times each season, but still nothing has been done to implement the idea.

UEFA President Michel Platini has expressed his views on the matter, saying that football is a "human game", in which mistakes are inevitable. With such a stubborn man in a position of power, the chances of a change in the foreseeable future are slim.

However, the number of incidents suggesting video technology is the future of football seem to be rising, with the most recent being the hand of Henry.

As with all suggestions, though, there are pros and cons to introducing this into football.

The main arguments for technology are simple. It works in other sports, such as rugby, cricket, and tennis, and it would severely reduce the level of mistakes made by the officials which, in turn, will ease the pressure on them.

The referee will know that, if he is not 100 percent sure about a decision, he can refer it to the video ref who can make the correct call after watching numerous replays.

The main excuse for a referee mistake is that he only has a split second to make his decision, and can only view the incident from one angle.

The extra official trial currently taking place in the Europa League goes some way to addressing this issue, but video technology would end it altogether.

However, this raises a host of questions.

What circumstances would there have to be in order for the referee to call on the video replay? Would the ball have to be dead and the play stopped?

If so, what would happen if a team has a shot which they think has gone over the line but bounced back into play? The referee wouldn't be able to ask the video assistant until the next time the ball goes out of play, which raises yet more questions.

What happens if the opposition goes up the other end and score before the ball goes dead again? Would the referee look at the video evidence, see the ball did actually cross the line and award the original team the goal while disallowing the other?

Or does he stop play immediately, risking preventing the team another chance in any ensuing melee and significantly slowing the pace of the game down?

To think that the most straight forward use of the system raises so many questions is a small indication of how drastically the introduction of such measures would change the sport.

If we were to take rugby's example, then the video ref would only be required for goal-line incidents.

In rugby the system is used to check the grounding of the ball or whether or not the player was in touch when going for a try.

Given the reaction to the Henry incident, however, this would not be substantial enough for football.

The handball was unprofessional behavior in open play, and wouldn't have been referred to the video ref under the rugby usage. It was akin to throwing a forward pass or deliberately blocking a defender to create the try.

If the Henry incident was sent to be looked at again, then where do we draw the line?

If handballs are called into question alongside goal-line incidents then the flow of the game would be really disrupted. Not to mention the inevitable calls for it to be implemented for offsides too.

The pace of a football game is often it's most intriguing factor. A match blighted by stoppages usually amounts to a poor spectacle, while a free-flowing, open game provides quite the opposite.

It has been suggested that only the "big" decisions should be handed over to the video ref, but what constitutes as "big" decisions?

Are they only those which happen inside the penalty area? If so, what happens when a player is wrongly penalised on the edge of the box, and his team concede from the resulting free-kick?

It ended in a goal, so the decision must have been a big one. Even if the free-kick was on the half-way line and a goal still materialised, the choice to award the free-kick would have been a dubious one.

But if those free-kicks had amounted to nothing, the decisions suddenly become irrelevant.

The difference between "big" decisions and irrelevant decisions often comes with the result and consequences of said decisions and, unless the referee were to ask his video watching colleague after the outcome, how is he to know which are the "big" decisions he is meant to refer?

If video technology is to be introduced, it would have to be done all over the pitch which would inevitably harm the pace of the game.

Another problem these proposed measures may encounter is the common, and vital trait of all referees.

The officials in the France vs. Ireland match obviously didn't see anything untoward with Gallas' goal, so they are unlikely to succumb to the protests of the Irish players.

Opposition players almost always argue the decisions of the referee, but the official never changes his mind. Perhaps the dishonest nature of footballers has come back to haunt them in this sense.

If the referee was convinced Gallas' goal was valid, he isn't going to listen to the Irish complaints that it wasn't, and therefore the video ref wouldn't be called into play anyway.

Another issue raised in this debate is the entertainment factor of football. I've already mentioned the fact that the pace of the game could be seriously affected, but you also need to look at the factor of controversy and talking points in games.

It may not be the case when your team is involved, but these type of incidents create a spark of entertainment within football. There are other means, yes, but few wonder-goals can compete with the level of debate Henry's handball has caused.

The "water-cooler effect" suggests that viewers go into work or school the next day and talk about the incidents that occurred.

Fewer controversial incidents could lead to less talk and buzz about the game, less excitement and outrage surrounding incidents, and fewer strong opinions about such moments.

The Germans still talk in hushed tones about Geoff Hurst's second goal, and England's third in the 1966 World Cup final. The English speak in much the same way about Diego Maradona's "Hand of God" goal 30 years later.

For once, I think I agree with Platini; football is a human game, and unless someone can come up with a faultless video technology plan, I think it should remain that way.

The beautiful game has existed for well over a century without such measures, and has thrived into the most popular sport in the world.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it, as the saying goes.

Some may argue that football is "broke", but it isn't. No sport is perfect and, in striving for perfection you risk losing what made it so popular in the first place.

An error-less, machine-run game sounds a lot less appealing to me. I like the talking points, and I like the controversy football brings.

Think of a football world without Henry's handball, without Diego Maradona's "Hand of God", and without Geoff Hurst's goal. Sounds dull and boring, doesn't it?

Bringing in video technology would be a step in the right direction to eliminate the natural human error, but a step in the wrong direction in regards to the excitement football brings and everything that made the sport so great.

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The Great Debate: Should FIFA Allow Ireland vs France To Be Replayed?

Barney — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:21:46 -0500

Controversy, cheating, and conspiracy.

These have been the three buzzwords this week in football's latest soap opera as Thierry Henry's "Hand of Frog" put France through to the World Cup in South Africa at the expense of Ireland.

Twenty-three years after Diego Maradona made enemies with every person in England with his infamous "Hand of God", Henry seems to have done the same with the Irish.

With the ball bouncing out of play, Henry clearly used his hand to claw it back in, before poking it across the goal to William Gallas, who headed in from a yard out.

Much to anger and astonishment of the Irish, however, the referee didn't blow for a handball, instead awarding the goal to the French.

Understandably, everyone involved not wearing a blue shirt was incensed, and the fallout has made the back pages of newspapers all over the world.

The most recent news is that FIFA, football's governing body, has rejected Ireland's appeal for a replay of the match.

But should they have let another match take place?

First, I will look at the argument from the side of the Irish.

Not only did Gallas' goal rob Ireland of a place in the World Cup for the first time since 2002, but it also robbed them of history and an awful lot of money.

The price of a World Cup campaign to the economy has been quoted as being as high as £1-2 billion, money Ireland will now have to go without. Undoubtedly, Henry's handball is the most expensive in history.

To go out in such circumstances is incredibly galling, particularly considering they had put in so much effort just to get to that stage.

But should the size of the implications of the result have any impact on FIFA's decision? No, I don't think they should.

A game of football is a game of football, and controversial things happen all the time. FIFA can't sanction a replay because then it'd be one rule for matches with a lot at stake and another for the "less important" matches.

I remember having a similar feeling at the end of the Tottenham vs Manchester United game a few years ago. In that match, you will remember, Pedro Mendes had a shot from the halfway line which clearly crossed the line after Roy Carroll's mistake.

The referee and linesman, however, insisted that it hadn't, and Spurs were robbed of a goal.

I distinctly remember feeling a massive sense of injustice for Tottenham at the end of that game, and I strongly believed that it should have been replayed. The match was much less important than Ireland and France's World Cup qualifier, but FIFA has to treat them both the same.

The laws of the game are the laws of the game, be it at Sunday league level, Premier League level or international level.

Did England get a replay against Argentina for Maradona's handball? No. Unless FIFA want to set a new precedent that they will follow thereafter, they have to abide by their rules.

Under the circumstances, then, the match couldn't have been replayed, and FIFA made the only reasonable decision. I do, however, think that a change of rules should be thought about.

A post-match panel of officials could look at any controversial decisions and decide what action should be taken. Whether this action could be extended as far as a replay in extreme circumstances is up for debate.

What it could include, though, is a citing system similar to that in rugby, where a player can be penalised after the match for incidents the referee has missed or misjudged the seriousness of.

Would this be applicable to Thierry Henry though?

Well, to answer that it must be established whether he handled the ball on purpose.

Henry has since admitted the ball hit his hand, although he insists it was accidental, and has apologised and even said a rematch would be the fairest option.

But replays suggest he did handle the ball on purpose.

When it first strikes his arm, it looks like a natural reflex action, but then he seems to scoop the ball back into play with his hand.

He knew he was cheating at the time, but I don't think he was thinking of the consequences of his actions or the major ramifications they would have.

He instinctively tried to keep the ball in play and create a chance for his team. Yes, this is technically cheating, but it is no worse than diving or any other form of bending the rules for your own gain.

Henry is unfortunate that his actions have been magnified due to the importance of the game, and I don't think he would have been cited had the system been in play.

Should he have owned up? In a perfect world, yes, but he can't be expected to. Incidents like Paolo Di Canio catching the ball because the opposition goalkeeper was injured are heart-warming moments, but they are most certainly the exception to the rule.

So is Henry a cheat? I suppose that, by the letter of the law, he did cheat, but I would have done the same and so, I'm sure, would most of the Irish bemoaning the hand of Henry.

The match, it must be remembered, was as important to France as it was to Ireland. If you had a chance to slightly bend the rules if it meant going to the World Cup finals, would you do it? I know I would.

On that point, would Ireland be so accepting of a replay if it was Robbie Keane who handled and they who had progressed?

The incident also opened up the seemingly endless video technology debate, which I will be discussing in a future article.

It also caused several members of the Ireland set-up to question whether FIFA favour the bigger, more glamorous nations, an argument spurred on by the seeding of the qualifying teams.

This ensured the likes of Portugal and France wouldn't meet each other, instead getting potentially easier ties.

Viewers in neutral countries would rather see Cristiano Ronaldo and Thierry Henry than Richard Dunne and Damien Duff, that is a fact, but favouritism cannot be spawned from greed and potential money-making.

Whether or not FIFA planned, or rather expected the bigger teams to go through will be cause for argument until the World Cup kicks-off, but for now, the Irish just have to lick their wounds and get on with it.

I sympathise with them, I really do. I can imagine the whole country is printing off pictures of Henry to stick on their dartboards, and I would be doing the same if England were in their position, but I don't blame Henry for doing what he did and I certainly don't blame FIFA for not allowing a replay.

In fact, the only people that can be held responsible are the officials. Ireland were just unlucky that they were stuck with a referee and linesman who, like Robbie Keane and co., won't be making the trip to South Africa.

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The Bottom Corner: Is FIFA Just a Bunch of Muppets?

Salaar Shamsi — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 06:42:08 -0500

FIFA have dashed the Republic of Ireland's hopes of replaying their World Cup qualifying play-off with France.

The Football Association of Ireland requested a replay after Thierry Henry's clear handball in the build-up to William Gallas' decisive goal.

Thierry Henry admitted to handling the ball, but it doesn't mean anything to the Irish, who were absolutely sensational throughout the game—they played their hearts out and deserve to be in South Africa next year.

The goal has created an outrage in the football world, many have blasted Henry for having no morals and drawn comparisons to Diego Maradona’s "Hand of God" goal.

Irish supporters rightly claim they have been robbed of an opportunity to be part of the World Cup.

It’s a real shame to see the Irish bow out especially after seeing how Ireland dominated the game, the level of passion and spirit showed by Giovanni Trappatoni’s men was truly spectacular.

Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn has described the event as ‘the greatest injustice in sport.’

Former Republic of Ireland midfielder Ray Houghton has called for FIFA president Sepp Blatter to make a public statement on the decision by football's world governing body.

"Where is Sepp Blatter? Why hasn't he come out and stood up and told everyone how it is."

"He's very good at telling other countries how to run their game. It really needed the top man to come out and tell the footballing public why they have made this decision."

If you have a look at how FIFA responded to this controversy, you might begin to question the credibility of the game’s leading body.

FIFA stated that the result of the match cannot be changed and the match cannot be replayed because it is clearly mentioned in the laws of the game that decisions taken by the referee are final.

A statement released by FIFA reads :

"There is no way the game can replayed”.

"To do so would cause absolute chaos for football. If it was replayed then every match in the future would also be subject to these calls for a replay any time a referee misses an incident”

"FIFA's rules are absolutely clear. Law 5 states that a referee's decision on points of fact are final. That is the end of it. You cannot replay the match on this basis."

"You have to have a rule that says the referee's judgement is always right."

The FAI had claimed there was a precedent because FIFA ordered Uzbekistan to replay Bahrain in 2006 World Cup qualifier when the referee made a "technical error" after a penalty had been awarded.

However, in that instance, the referee was guilty of wrongly applying the rules rather than missing an offence, he awarded an indirect free-kick against Uzbekistan when one of their players encroached on the Bahrain penalty area as the Uzbeks successfully converted a penalty.

The correct decision would have been to order the penalty to be retaken.

Personally, I’m beginning to question whatever happened to FIFA and its fair play campaign?

My heart goes out to the thousands of Irish fans who travelled to Paris and have been wrongly denied a chance to support their heroes in South Africa.

Perhaps, FIFA just doesn’t have the balls to stand up to the French who are, make no mistake about it, one of the strongest parties in world football.

A World Cup without France, where it might be just, would’ve hit FIFA and the French as hard as a jawbreaker.

It’s extremely unfortunate that we won’t get to see the likes of Shay Given, Damien Duff, Robbie Keane, and Kevin Doyle in South Africa but football is really cruel game, isn’t it?

FIFA may have gone by their own rules here but they clearly haven’t done the right thing.

The problem with bringing video technology into the game, many tend to argue, is that it will affect the human aspect and the natural beauty and intensity of the sport. Well, when you get results like this, is it a risk worth taking?

Has FIFA shown double standards here?

Hold that thought for now.

That's it from The Bottom Corner, here's Salaar Shamsi signing off, until next time, it's goodbye.

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When Superman Falls: Thierry Henry's Sad Story

Liam Abbey — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:11:08 -0500

What happens to Superman when he can’t be Superman anymore?

Well, this is a question with a simple answer. Superman never stops being Superman. Superman never ages and never loses his powers, and the only way to stop him is to kill him.

However, in the real world, where Superman does not exist, other idols take on this role for many people. In most cases it is taken by sporting figures, and one such sporting figure is Thierry Henry.

For nearly a decade at Arsenal he truly was Superman to the club. This one man could win Arsenal games by singlehandedly doing something special. His unmatched ability in the football field made him a hero.

Everyone relied on him to win the games, to score the goals, to be the leader. He was relied upon to do it because no one else could. He was Superman.

After the invincible season in 2003-2004, Henry and his sidekicks slowly disbanded. By the time Arsenal were playing in the 2006 Champions League final, only him and a couple more were left, at which time he was left up front by himself with limited service. Yet he was still being asked once again to be Superman.

However, this was becoming a problem for Henry. There were calls from Spain for him to leave Arsenal and join Barcelona’s super team, where he wouldn’t be the only Superman—he would have help. But why would Superman need help?

Also, despite the Champions League run, it was obvious all was not right. Arsenal were struggling, and Henry was having trouble saving them. He still saved them from time to time, but not as regularly. He has no sidekicks, said the papers. He is just having a hard time personally and professionally.

Then someone whispered the unthinkable reason: What if Superman is losing his powers?

Arsenal lost harshly to Barcelona’s super team in Paris. Hampered by an early sending off, Arsenal put on a brave display before Barcelona’s late show. This is what the papers said, but deep inside the belly of those match reports was Henry’s demise. Henry missed a one on one chance to make it 2-0 to Arsenal.

Two years ago, Henry missing a one on one like that wasn’t possible. Henry wouldn’t scuff a one on one under pressure. He was too cool for pressure. Henry is Superman. Isn’t he?

Henry resisted the call of Barcelona for another season, but it was a season to forget for Henry and Arsenal. Henry was saving Arsenal less and less during that season. That was, of course, if he was there at all. Henry was injured for most of the season.

Also, certain things became noticeable during the season. His trademark smile was replaced by a small frown. The goals of his teammates were polity applauded rather than celebrated. Private matters were also a factor, but it all led to the same conclusion: Superman had to leave Arsenal.

Henry arrived at Barcelona and received a hero’s welcome from the club. However, celebrations were short-lived, as Henry’s first season mimicked the last at Arsenal.

He struggled for form and fitness, but this time people didn’t care that much. Sure, they cared but there was Ronaldinho, Deco, and Samuel Eto’o to worry about as well. Henry was under less pressure to be Superman.

Henry took advantage of the relief of pressure and started to provide the form again, but it wasn’t as magical as before. He just scored the goals, but the likes of Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta, and Xavi were doing the skills and dribbles. Henry really wasn’t Superman anymore; he was just a sidekick.

At least this was the case at club level. At international level Henry was experiencing the same disintegration of a team he had experienced at Arsenal—stars of the likes of Zinedine Zidane, Marcel Desailly, and Didier Deschamps. He was being asked to be Superman for France more so than ever. The question was, could he still be Superman?

France’s qualification for the 2010 World Cup had been a shambles. They had made it through to the playoffs, but the lack of harmony and direction was obvious. Many said it was the lack of the stars of the previous generation, but many also blamed the manager.

Of the many that blamed the manager were the players. Henry stood up at a team meeting and told Raymond Domenech that they were left dazed and confused by his management. However, they had to put it aside for the playoff match against Ireland.

The first leg was at Croke Park and was seen by many as a leg in which Ireland must get a result. However, it was France who left with a 1-0 advantage thanks to Nicholas Anelka. Not many thought Ireland could win in France, but people still watched on Nov. 19, 2009.

On a cold night in Paris, Ireland provided a heart-driven display and were 1-0 up after 90 minutes, sending the game into extra time. The French had been poor, and Henry was no threat to the Irish defence. Extra time was passing harmlessly though the French tried to put the pressure on.

Henry then witnessed an action from a teammate of which he had never done himself. Anelka, charging through on goal, dived over Shay Given in an attempt to win a penalty. The ref was not fooled by Anelka’s act of deceit, and play was waved on.

Henry had never done what Anelka just did. Why would he need to? He was Superman, and Superman doesn’t cheat. He doesn’t need to cheat because he is Superman. Others cheat to beat him, not the other way around.

A few minutes later a free kick found him in the box, and the ball hit him on the arm. It was a chance for Superman to do what he does best.

However, had all the doubt, all the fear that he couldn’t do it anymore infected his mind? Was he was just an ordinary player now? Was he just an ordinary player being outplayed?

He knew what ordinary players would do to win. He knew it after all these years of being on the receiving end. Ordinary players do the things Superman doesn’t need to do. They cheat.

So what happens to Superman when he can’t be Superman anymore? Thierry Henry knows.

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Head-Butts And Handballs: That Is How They Roll In France

Bryan Flynn — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:25:22 -0500

The outrage in the Republic of Ireland can be heard all the way across the Atlantic Ocean to the United States. The world ended up focused on the tiny island with a population of just over 4 million people over a soccer game.

Unless you do not watch sports or you were living under a rock, here is what all the controversy is about. The French were leading the two leg series on a 1-0 aggregate after winning in Dublin in the first game.

In the second leg of World Cup qualifying the Irish were leading France 1-0 in overtime. With about 17 minutes to go until penalty kicks would have decided who earned a spot in the world’s largest tournament.

Here is what happened in the game when on a free-kick just past mid-field for France was kicked in to the box. First of all, the French had two players off-sides before the ball reached the box and a call should have been made by the referees’ assistant.

The off-sides was not called when French and Arsenal striker Thierry Henry cupped the ball into his arm to control the ball. Henry then was able to pass the ball to William Galla who was able to finish and put the French ahead 2-1 on aggregate and on to South Africa.

You can view the video and decide for yourself if it was a bad call for not.

The handball has been compared to the famous goal by Argentina’s Diego Maradona. The goal was said to have been helped in to the goal by “the hand of God” and put England out of the 1986 World Cup.

Henry’s goal was not as blatant as the goal by Maradona and should be more aptly named “the thumb of Jesus”. Below is the goal by Maradon if you have never seen it before.

The question is what does FIFA, do about Henry’s goal. They have already been questioned about the European draw to get the final four spots from the continent.

Golf is still the only sport where a player calls a penalty on themselves. So should Henry have told the referee that he touched the ball?

Did FIFA set the draw up so that the biggest named teams would make the World Cup and Ireland had no shot to begin with? These questions are hard to answer but, FIFA could deflect some of these questions if they would add instant replay to the sport.

Soccer would not be embroiled in this controversy if they had some form of replay. What should be more important to FIFA is what to do with France.

This is not the first controversy the French national team has been involved in. Nearly four years ago the French playing in the World Cup final brought soccer from the back page to the front with a single play.

French superstar Zinedine Zidane was caught on video delivering a head-butt to Italian defender Marco Materazzi. Zidane claimed he gave Materazzi the head-butt because of things that were said to him.

The 2006 World Cup would go on to be won by Italy in a penalty kick shoot-out 5-3 after the game ended at a 1-1 tie. The video of the head-butt can be seen below.

In their last two big games the French National team has been involved in controversy. The rest of the world and in America has to wonder two things.

First, is the French squad filled with dirty players and if so what to do about them. Secondly, is the French squad filled with players that cheat and again if so what to do about it.

Henry placed the blame of his hand-ball on the referee. One has to question whether Henry is the type of man to be a role-model.

What does it profit a man to gain the world if he loses his sole? That paraphrases a line from the book of Mark out of the Bible to describe the French situation.

What does it profit France to make the World Cup if the rest of the world is going to question your integrity and honesty? So France will be in South Africa in 2010 but how many head-butts and handballs will the French be allowed to have before FIFA changes.

Soccer will survive worldwide but as a game it will suffer in the United States. FIFA must do something to let the world know teams cannot bully or cheat their way to victories.

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On The Big Occasion, Thierry Henry Fails To Meet His Own High Standards

Alex Dimond — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:27:30 -0500

It wasn't the way to win a place at the World Cup, never mind lose one.

Nevertheless, Thierry Henry's illegal intervention during a closely-fought World Cup play-off between France and Ireland was the decisive act in a tie that deserved much better.

From the player to the referee and even the sport, few came away from the night with any credit.

The valiant Irish players can hold their heads high—but that will be scant consolation considering the devastating manner of their defeat.

It was worse that the pivotal moment came in extra-time, after Robbie Keane had clawed Ireland back onto level terms after an admirable team performance.

With questions of offside in the build up to a free-kick being delivered into the box, Henry looked to have misjudged the ball’s flight—before his hands came to the rescue.

The first contact looked instinctive, with the French No. 12 arguably knowing little about it on a conscious level.

But the second touch with his still-outstretched left arm was clearly deliberate, and set the ball perfectly for him to then slip the ball past the onrushing Shay Given with the outside of his right boot.

William Gallas, barely a yard out, had the simplest of jobs in nodding the ball into the open net.

For some, the fact Henry wheeled away and celebrated the goal was the most distasteful aspect of the whole scenario.

If the incident itself suggested the Barcelona forward was a cheat, then the public way he enjoyed the moment certainly confirmed it.

With referee Martin Hansson turning down Irish players' prolonged appeals for hand-ball, the goal stood and France held on to book their place in South Africa next summer.

After the game, unsurprisingly all discussion was focused on Henry.

Arsene Wenger, the 32-year-old's former manager at Arsenal, stated on French television that France had gone through thanks to a “refereeing error”.

French goalscorer Gallas professed that he did not notice an infringement. Manager Raymond Domenech went as far as to suggest he didn’t see anything.

Irish players were not quite so reticent.

“I think it was quite blatant that he cheated. The linesman was in line with the incident, it wasn’t even a hard decision to make,” defender Richard Dunne said.

“All European people saw the situation. I am sure that, if the referee had asked Henry, he would have admitted to the handball,” Irish boss Giovanni Trapattoni noted.

“I am sad because the referee had the time to ask the linesman and Henry.

"I am upset for fair play because we are told many times about fair play. I go into schools to talk about fair play and tell the young kids that it’s important for their life.”

Having avoided the press after the game for as long as he could, eventually the villain of the piece emerged from the dressing room at the Stade de France to admit his guilt, albeit with a caveat.

“I will be honest, it was a handball,” Henry said, “but I’m not the ref.

“I played it, the ref allowed it. That’s a question you should ask him.”

In the subsequent news and media coverage, few stepped in to defend Henry.

But once some of the dust had settled, Noel Le Graet, vice president of the French Football Federation, attempted to put the Barcelona striker’s actions into perspective.

"Having seen the replays it seems the hand made contact—the player has confirmed this. It's part of the game and you know it is not something Thierry Henry makes a habit of doing,” Le Graet argued.

"I think [a description of] 'cheating' is extreme. Football is complicated. Hand-balls are part of the game. Henry should be judged on the full extent of his career and therefore I think the one word you cannot associate with him is cheat.”

He is a man of enormous quality. He loves football and he loves the French national side.”

Whether in time many will come to see the 67-year-old’s view as reasonable remains to be seen, but right now many are wondering why a player like Henry would do such a thing.

To some the equation is simple: The ends justify the means. Henry’s act will see France play at the World Cup next summer, with the chance to lift the biggest prize in sport.

But because it is Henry, such a clear rationale leaves a hollow feeling.

If it had been Robbie Keane, Damien Duff, or even Nicolas Anelka taking matters into their own hands, then perhaps the outcry would be more predictable.

Such players are good but not greats of the game, and in the case of Anelka at least still struggling to shake off a negative public perception.

Such a pillorying of these three players, or any of the other 21 who took the field last night, would have been swift and without discord.

But Henry has the power to stir complex emotions in almost all football fans.

In the history of football, Henry will rightly stand head and shoulders above anyone else who took the field last night.

His career has been one sparkling highlight after another, with his time at Arsenal a halcyon period for both Gunners fans and those of English football.

His footballing ability inspired millions, but his character and easy charm equally warmed many to a special player.

A World Cup winner in 1998, he was well on the way to ending his playing days revered as one of the finest the game has ever seen.

But his actions yesterday evening served as a slap in the face to all who have admired him.

Yesterday’s debacle will not ruin Henry’s reputation, just as a similar act did not leave the legacy of Diego Maradona, another great, in tatters.

But it will certainly tarnish it.

After all, Henry was faced with just two simple choices after Gallas turned his cross home—deceive or disclose.

In the heat of the moment, he choose the wrong and, most disappointingly, easier option—turning his back on a moment of sportsmanship that could arguably have been the making of him, as a man if not as a footballer.

Paulo di Canio, a player with a habit of sharing Fascist salutes with fans and pushing referees, will always be remembered for his famous act of sportsmanship in 2000, stopping play and spurning an easy goal scoring opportunity because the opposition goalkeeper had gone down injured.

Thierry Henry, a man held as an example to kids around the world due to his spotless image, was unable to match Di Canio's honesty and integrity under the same split-second pressure.

Such is the unpredictability of human nature.

At the final whistle, Henry shunned the celebrations of his fellow team-mates to go and commiserate with a distraught Richard Dunne. Under different circumstances, such an act of sportsmanship would have been widely lauded.

Last night, it didn’t even balance the books.

For once, Henry had failed to attain the same high standards he has set throughout his career.

Only time will tell whether that will be his lasting legacy.

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Henry's Hands and the Cult of Victimisation

Nicholas Medhurst — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 09:21:30 -0500

Relax, I'm not going to say he didn't handle it or that Ireland can't feel aggrieved or that the better team won.

France is through to the World Cup Finals only by virtue of a goal that should never have stood. That it did is a tragedy for Irish football fans and an enormous cake of luck for the French national team.

Disappointment is a horrible side affect of being a football supporter. We do not need to feel as passionately as we do and yet, when the inevitable lows come, we allow them to twist us up as if it weren't only a game. I want to call myself stupid for getting so upset but you never do, partly because you know you love it really and partly because you've already chosen someone to be your scapegoat - historically Bentley, Eboue, Robbie Savage etc.

Thierry Henry is not one of the usual suspects. However, today he is an internationally renowned cheat of the most despicable order. Really?

I will cut to the chase and make my point. Today I read a comment on the Sky Sports article that has now been snowed under by thousands of other comments that went something like this:

"Thierry has always been an inspiration... blah blah... when he was at Arsenal... blah blah... greatest... blah... but after last night... never forgive... cheat... my seven year old son even said 'Look daddy, look at his big cheaty face. What a cheat daddy! Let's kill him daddy. I want to see the cheat dead, daddy.'... to provoke that reaction from a child, a child!... So I'm starting a militia with the sole aim of killing Thierry Henry, the greatest cheat of all time."

Okay, I did make the end of that up but it was an outrageously outraged comment, with all its anger and frustration directed straight at Henry and it did mention the commenter's son to compound his guilt. He had been found guilty by the fairest jury known to man: a seven year old boy. How could he be wrong?!

Let's quickly dissect the incident: Ball comes in, defender misses it, Henry moves to it, moves his hand first, ball and hand meet, ball arrives nicely at Henry's feet, whip, bang!

Now, I'm not going to argue that Henry did not do it intentionally. However, I know that he did not think: "Ooh, if I catch this and throw it at Gallas's head, we will be off to the World Cup. I'm so clever."

In the moment, his arm shot out, for whatever reason, and he was able to set up a goal. The referee missed it. That's the referee's fault. Look at Henry's track record: never a dive, never a fight, never an abnormal ban. He is not a "cheat". He fouled. Making a bad challenge is technically cheating but we don't call it that - we call it a foul. If the referee missed a foul we blame him, not the player for playing to the whistle.

A criticism of this article may be that it was not honorable for him to just wheel away and celebrate amongst the Irish players. He should have admitted it or at least looked apologetic. Maybe you're made of better stuff than I am but I would have been ecstatic and buzzing with adrenaline. I wouldn't have a second thought for trying to convince the ref that the goal should be scrapped. The apology can come later.

Many have compared it to Maradona's hand of God. Some have said it will tarnish Henry's reputation like Zidane's headbutt. Nonsense. Neither bear comparison.

It's happened. Henry does not deny he handled: he said that it should not have stood because it was a handball, but he did not mean to deceive anybody. It's worth just taking him at his word - why disbelieve him just so you can feel angry? Also, don't blame the ref, he didn't do it, he just didn't see it and, however upsetting or consequential that aberration was, the defender was probably in the way.

Utterly gutting but I'm afraid it just needs to be stuck in the bin labeled "Football, bloody hell."

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Ireland 1, FIFA 2: A Scorned Lover Again

Matthew Maloney — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 08:14:25 -0500

“They’re all probably clapping hands, [Michel] Platini sitting up there on the phone to Sepp Blatter, probably texting each other, delighted with the result.”—Robbie Keane, Ireland Captain and yesterday's only goalscorer (only one proper goal was scored last night historians will undoubtedly say).

I haven't been moved to write anything on Bleacher for a long, long time. In fact I didn't think I'd ever use the site again but yesterday's "travesty" leaves too much to be desired in my eyes.

For roughly 110 minutes I fell in love with football again—Ireland hadn't played like they did last night since I started watching football in the first place! (WC 2002—memories of Spain and Germany came flooding back last night)

But the sheer tenacity of previous—to my mind—"ugly ducklings" like Glenn Whelan, Keith Andrews and now joint record cap holder Kilbane won me over, even if I had been largely dubious about their achievements and merit as footballers beforehand.

To such an extent in fact, that I actually groaned when Whelan had to come off for Darren "Permanent United Reserve Team Fixture" Gibson in the second half. Its been a seachange in attitude from me and I suspect many other Irish fans towards such untalented yet endearing workhorses.

As for the usual two totem poles of Irish football suffice to say Duff was magical while Keane was just inspirational. Last night he became the captain I never knew he could be. The work rate of the two was outstanding and at times even the odd step over and flick were introduced to remind not only the French but yes, even ourselves, that these two still had "it".

Undoubtedly the French were on the ropes; Domenech, no stranger to widespread questioning of his role with the national team, seemed prepared for the worst (quick question to all Frenchies out there—would they even have sacked him if they had lost?), the marketing men held their collective breath for the worst—a tournament with no Henry, Benzema, Gourcuff et al...but most importantly Platini and Blatter were getting uncomfortable in their seats.

Their plan was going awry.

Having rejigged the seedings to make sure Ireland wouldn’t have the audacity to appear in the World Cup again and stink the place up (to their minds anyway), it was high time a Byron Moreno/South Korea job was pulled off should Plan B not reach its insidious conclusion.

For those of you who don’t know who Byron Moreno is let me refer you to South Korea v Italy at the 2002 World Cup. The match became infamous among Italians as a clear case of "shenanigans." And who was on the Italy bench at the time?—Giovanni Trappatoni. Yes, he more than anyone should know how FIFA politicking works, so no surprise then he mentioned Moreno’s name in the postmatch interview.

But coming back to the game last night it became clear something palpable was in the air. Commentator Jim Beglin said as much by declaring halfway through an amazing Irish performance that “there’s something big on tonight, and the players out there are beginning to feel it.”

As I’ve said before I was falling in love with football again, but this however was largely after falling out of love with it for roughly the past few months.

Corruption has become endemic: Serie A, La Liga, The Premiership, even the MLS have seen non-existent penalties, soft red cards and indeed, extra-extra time given in favour of the big boys (and David Beckham). Matches are played out in the financial markets or the boardroom more than the pitch nowadays, so what’s the point?

But even with all this in mind, Ireland-France in a World Cup playoff sounded a treat. ——And it was—again I add, for roughly 110 minutes.

Sure the deflected goal in the first leg was unlucky. Sure the French slaughtered us possession-wise in Croke Park and sure the bookies had us down for a fairly predicatble defeat over the 2 legs but we stuck in there with a bunch of players who hardly even feature for Stoke, Hull or Middlesborough among other unfashionable teams.

And that was heartening. Something against the odds was happening last night in Paris and FIFA simply didn't see it coming.

But it is when the ugly system full of the usual corporate cast of lawyers, marketing men and bent politicians become involved that the beautiful game becomes a whore for all to see.

Its no coincidence a French team full of immediately marketable Africans will be going to South Africa next year. Interest in the tournament there demands it and among other things, nominally "more talented players" and recognisable names.

Nike, Adidas, McDonalds won’t be savouring Glenn Whelan running around a pitch at 50 degrees, sweating like a pig. As Henry in one of his commercials would say: “The best a man can get.” That won’t be Glenn Whelan for Mr. Marketer.

As for the blatant handball it not only contravenes "fair play", it contravenes 'common sense'.

Even in a playground of schoolchildren a handball will be ruled out amongst players. No referee needed. So how two supposedly qualified and supposedly experienced officials fail to see two handballs, one after the other is mind boggling.

And this doesn't even take into account 2 French players were offside as the ball was floated in from the free kick.

It is simply a crying shame when justice is foregone even when the player himself admits he handled the ball.

So this leads me to the only conclusion possible with all the facts, motives, and events in mind. FIFA got the result FIFA wanted.

Portugal and France will be heading to the World Cup with inept managers, free to bestow upon us heartless, passionless, mind-numbing football once more (2006 Portugal v France was just awful), and the real football teams that really espouse the values of the game FIFA pays lip service to; The Irelands, the Bosnias, the naturally ungifted, the naturally non-glamorous will be scorned.

Like the fat quiet girl with the good heart done over by the bimbo blonde with the implants. The notion of love has had the piss taken out of it.

And so has my love for the game.

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France-Ireland: William Gallas Snatches a French Victory in World Cup Qualifier

Kieran Beckles — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 06:28:39 -0500

France 1-1 Republic of Ireland (agg 2-1)

‘Belief’ was the buzzword resounding around the emerald island in the aftermath of the first leg defeat to Les Blues.

Last Saturday, Chelsea’s Nicolas Anelka dampened the spirits of the vocal home crowd as he edged the French to a narrow 1-0 success.

Lassana Diarra—or ‘Lass’ as he is affectionately known as at the Bernabeu—ensured with his ill choice of words after the final whistle that Giovanni Trapattoni’s men would lack no motivation in the return tie.

Ireland boasts a proud nation of inhabitants, famous for rebelling against superior powers and refusing to submit to their suppressors.

The ‘Men in Green’ perform best when our backs are up against the wall.

Trapattoni opted to persevere with the same 11, choosing to persist with the more defensive Liam Lawrence on the right wing opposed to the flamboyant Aiden McGeady. Any critics suggesting the Italian would deploy a defensive strategy were soon dismissed.

Ireland arrived in the French capital and produced a steely performance while managing to add a dab of verve to the affair.

The travelling contingent made their presence felt in the Stade de France and it spurred on Robbie Keane and company, with the men bearing the Irish crest looking more like long distance runners than footballers on occasions.

The opening exchanges saw the visiting side deploy a tactic more akin to their oval-shaped brethren, playing territorial football opposed to possession football, as the pumped ‘up and unders’ towards Lloris’ goal.

However, Whelan and Andrews settled and helped find a gentle attacking rhythm to their teams approach play.

Damien Duff, who turned back the years with a sublime performance, continuously tormented Bacary Sagna on the left wing. Trapattoni had clearly instructed his players to test the aerial ability of the susceptible French back four—marshaled by Gallas—with some teasing crosses.

This air of vulnerability wasn’t helped when Domenech was forced to changed the bloodied Escudé after a mere nine minutes.

The phonetic sound of his replacement’s name will have sent immediate shivers down all of those clad in green: flashbacks of the Stadio Olimpico and Italy in 1990. But it wouldn’t be Squillaci who would ultimately break Irish hearts.

With 20 minutes gone, Ireland began to string their passes together, utilising possession and patiently building attack after attack. Lawrence produced some dangerous crosses which the French rearguard managed to repel.

Then Keane came close when a vital palm by Lloris denied the Irish skipper what seemed a certain goal. Unfortunately for the Lyon keeper, who was the best player on the night for Domenech, he couldn’t prevent Keane levelling the tie on 33 minutes.

A smart interchange between Duff and Kilbane unleashed the Fulham left winger deep into French territory. Duff’s smart cutback found Keane who had emancipated himself from the attentions of Gallas.

He stroked the ball into the right corner of the net to send the Irish army of fans into a state of deliria.

It was just reward for a stellar first half showing.

Two minutes after the interval, John O’Shea was afforded a fantastic opportunity to double the lead for the underdogs. With 30 minutes of normal time remaining, Ireland manufactured another opening.

Keane timed his pass perfectly as he slotted Duff clean through with only Lloris to beat. However a combination of defensive heroics by the Lyon keeper and Sagna scuppered Duff’s tame attempt.

Trapattoni was almost immediately left to rue this surrendered chance.

The home side promptly launched an offensive with a long ball defying Dunne and Given and O’Shea left to nullify the threat from Thierry Henry. Dunne will have been grateful that only a corner was a result of misjudgement.

Shortly after Duff’s spurned shot, Keane seemed destined to finally double his country’s lead. Yet despite rounding the keeper, the ball escaped the attentions of the skipper and trickled harmlessly out of play.

It proved the last meaningful attack by Trapattoni’s side as they began tire in body but not in spirit. The French remained camped inside the Irish half for the remainder of the 90 minutes as the game rumbled on into extra time.

Ireland were resolved to doggedly defending their goalmouth for the first period of extra time. The arrival of Florent Malouda and Sidney Govou had injected fresh impetus into the endeavours of Les Bleus.

In the 107th minute, for the first time in the game, Anelka streaked past his marker St Ledger and was met by the onrushing Given. Anelka tumbled to the turf while Given pleaded his innocence.

Stade de France erupted with cries for a penalty. The referee calmly instructed for a goal kick to be taken.

The football world applauded the courage of the Swedish referee, Martin Hansson. He refused to be bullied into decision by the riled French supporters. His performance on the night up was exceptional.

That was until five minutes later.

Unfortunately for Hanssonn, his night was undermined by the short-sightedness of his colleague and the unscrupulous actions of one of the greatest talents in football.

Two minutes before the teams changed ends and commenced the second period of the extra 30 minutes, Gallas controversially scored what would be the winner in the tie.

A lofted free kick found its way to Henry. The former Arsenal star controlled the ball elegantly with his hand before palming the ball towards his teammate Gallas, who subsequently bundled the ball past the enraged Given.

The protestations of Given and his compatriots were fruitless. The referee and his assistant had failed to spot the infringement and the goal stood.

Aiden McGeady’s arrival offered some hope to the Stade de France rising, but he was unable to conjure up a dramatic late winner and France secured their passage to South Africa.

The Irish squad struck forlorn figures as they trudged dejectedly to their loyal supporters offering their shirts as compensation for those who made the journey to Paris.

France: Lloris, Sagna, Gallas, Escude, Evra, Lassana Diarra, Alou Diarra, Gourcuff, Anelka, Gignac, Henry.

Republic of Ireland: Given, O’Shea, St. Ledger, Dunne, Kilbane, Lawrence, Whelan, Andrews, Duff, Doyle, Keane.

Man of the Match: Damien Duff

Lawrence sprayed the ball to the far post where O’Shea had arrived undetected. The full back cushioned the ball on his chest before floating a volley high over the bar when cutting the ball back to Kilbane looked like a more viable option.

Henry and Anelka looked dangerous on the counter attack but both failed to leave any real mark on the affair. Anelka had an effort easily gathered by the ever reliable Given.

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France-Ireland Football World Cup Match Recap: Irish Lose a Heartbreaker

Sports Betting Review — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:50:36 -0500

Wednesday night's France-Ireland football clash may well have had Ireland on the way to the 2010 World Cup, had it not been for the "Hand of Henry."

Unfortunately, yet again, the beautiful game turned out to be anything but attractive, as France vs Ireland highlights will show.

The fixture came on the back of the first Ireland vs France meeting that took place on Saturday night in Dublin, which saw France triumph 1-0 and hold a crucial away goal advantage.

The Irish were massive underdogs heading into the second leg, with william hill bookmakers , for instance, giving odds of 6/1 for an Irish win at the Stade de France in Paris.

Nobody apparently told this to Robbie Keane , as he unexpectedly put Ireland ahead in the 33rd minute with an excellent first—touch shot.

The Irish surprisingly dominated a majority of the match, and Damien Duff almost made it 2-0 for the visitors in the 61st minute, after going one-on-one with French keeper Hugo Lloris, having run onto a marvellous through ball.

Still, at the end of the 90 minutes it was France 0 - Ireland 1 which meant that the two teams were tied 1-1 on aggregate after 180 minutes of football.

This would mean that Irish would have to score again in extra time or win a penalty shoot-out in order to post an incredible victory in the series, and secure a spot in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa .

Unfortunately for the Irish it was not to be. A free—kick saw William Gallas head home a goal in the 104th minute that would end the dream of Ireland and put France through to the World Cup finals yet again.

But it was no ordinary goal. Not only did the replay show that two French players were offside before the goal, but Thierry Henry blatantly handled—or even juggled—the ball before passing it to Gallas who headed home from point blank range.

The incident was somehow missed by the officials, and in spite of the protests of the Irish team, the goal stood, meaning that France won the tie 2-1 on aggregate.

This is yet another example of a crucial goal unfairly given, when video technology would have prevented the injustice from ever happening.

How long will it be before FIFA and Co. finally get their act together and implement video technology in football, to stop blatant mistakes like this happening on a regular basis?

Condolences to Ireland. But they always had the odds against them, thanks to FIFA's incredibly unfair seeding of the play-offs that deliberately pitted the higher ranked teams against the lower ones.

Ireland keeper Shay Given described the late ploy by FIFA as 'ridiculous' and 'disgusting' prior to the entire France vs Ireland tie, whilst Irish manager Giovanni Trapattoni accurately put the decision down to the fact that 'business is business', owing to how 'the big teams command UEFA'.

Still, Slovenia managed an upset of epic proportions by knocking out Russia on away goals, so there was some solace for those supporting the underdog. Nevertheless, this loss will burn in the memory of Ireland fans for years to come.

Watch France vs Ireland highlights including both goals scored at Sports Betting Review now!

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France Is on To World Cup After 1-1 Extratime Draw Against Ireland

Andrew Jordan — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:02:54 -0500

After a 1-0 loss at Croke Park during the first leg of the UEFA World Cup qualifying playoff, Ireland traveled to France to take on the French National team in a match in which one of the two countries would advance onto the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Going into this match, the Irish were looking to get back into this playoff after allowing that away goal, while France, who were in the World Cup finals in 2006, were looking to get back to the greatest tournament in world football by qualifying at home in the Stade de France.

Early on, the French came out of the gate on the offensive, as they continued to pepper the Irish goal with shots, but Ireland's keeper Shay Given was equal to the challenge, as he was stopping everything that came his way.

And in the 33rd minute, Ireland were able to finally score, as it was Robbie Keane who was able to get the Irish on the board with a low shot into the right corner off a pass from Damien Duff, giving Ireland a 1-0 lead and tying up the playoff at one on aggregate.

After the goal, the French continued to attack the Irish goal, but Given and the Irish defense were able to prevent any goals and as the first half ended, Ireland held a 1-0 lead.

As the second half begun, the Irish were able to get some offensive pressure on the French net, but France quickly turned the tables and started to attack the Irish net.

However, they weren't able to score on the Irish net and the Irish defense was able to keep the French attack at bay.

After Ireland replaced Glenn Whelan with Daniel Gibson and John O'Shea with Paul McShane, the French continued their assault on the Irish net, but they were still unable to score.

In the final 10 minutes of play, both sides were still unable to score, which meant that Ireland and France now had to play each other for at least 30 more minutes, with one of these countries heading onto the World Cup.

In the first period of extra time, no team was able to get any good scoring opportunities until the 104th minute, which completely changed the entire complection of the game changed.

On that play, French legend Thierry Henry crossed the ball into the box, where William Gallas was able to head in the cross, tying the game at one and gave France a 2-1 lead on aggregate, which France held at the end of the first period of extra time.

However, it appeared that Henry did handle the football with his hand before providing that cross, but Swedish referee Martin Hannson and his assistants saw nothing wrong with the play, and the goal stood.

In the second period of extra time, the French once again dominated possession, and Ireland were unable to score, ending the game with a 1-1 draw and the French are now onto the World Cup once again.

With the win, France have joined Greece, Slovenia, and Portugal out of UEFA as countries that have now qualified for the World Cup through this playoff while Ireland will head back home, knowing that they were so close to going back to the World Cup for the first time since 2002.

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France-Ireland: UEFA World Cup Qualifying Playoff Second Leg Preview

Andrew Jordan — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 07:31:56 -0500

After a 1-0 win away at Croke Park during the first leg of the playoffs, France will now travel back home to the Stade de France to take on Ireland, with one of the two countries advancing to the World Cup.

In the first leg, Ireland was in control of the first half, while the French controlled the second half and got its game-winning goal.

Here is a preview of the match for both countries in the second leg of this important World Cup playoff.

France

For the French, they will head back home with an all important away goal and are also ahead on aggregate 1-0.

Despite not having a great start, they were able to make up for it with great play in the second half, and thanks to a Nicholas Anelka goal, they might have all of the offense they need in order to go on to the World Cup.

However, the French know that this journey is still not over, and they need to achieve a strong performance here in order to get into the World Cup.

They could do this by making sure that they do not concede an early away goal, as that would put an immense amount of pressure on the French to score.

Also, the French must not allow the Irish to get into that position to score, so they must take control of the match as early as they can.

And finally, France must come out and play to win, as it knows failing to qualify for the World Cup in France would be embarrassing to the same country that went to the World Cup final and nearly won over Italy in 2006.

If France can do all of this, they will have a great chance of qualifying for the World Cup on their own home soil.

Ireland

After a disappointing first-leg loss, Ireland will now travel to France hoping to clinch a spot in the World Cup.

In that first leg, there was no luck for the Irish at all, as Liam Lawrence missed a wide-open net off of a shot by Robbie Keane.

The only goal the French scored came off a deflection by Irish defender Sean St. Ledger and past Irish keeper Shay Given, giving France their precious away goal.

The Irish know that they should have been able to beat French keeper Hugo Lloris at least once, but they weren't able to and find themselves down by a huge away goal.

In this match, you can expect the Irish to be attack-oriented, as they need to get a precious away goal to keep them in this playoff. However, the Irish cannot let up on their defense, and need to keep a clean sheet here to make qualifying a lot easier.

Finally, the Irish must get the French crowd out of the game early to keep themselves in this playoff.

If Ireland could do all of this, they will have a great chance of advancing to their first World Cup since 2002.

This matchup between France and Ireland will be a great game to watch for fans of both countries and for any football fan, as both of these countries are extremely close to qualifying for next year's World Cup in South Africa, but only one nation will make it.

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France-Ireland Preview: World Cup 2010 Football Playoff

Sports Betting Review — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 05:02:57 -0500

France vs. Ireland

18th November, 2009

Stade de France, Paris

Kick-Off: 20:00 GMT (21:00 CET)

France

The French will welcome the Irish to the Stade de France for tonight's France vs Ireland football clash with one foot already on the plane to South Africa.

Raymond Domenech’s men battled the crowd and a motivated Ireland squad at Croke Park in Dublin on Saturday, and emerged victorious heading into the France—Ireland second leg of the tie.

The final scoreline read 1-0, and the result was a fair indication of how the match was played.

There was little to choose between France and Ireland in the opening 45 minutes with a few chances at both ends. In the second half, however, France was able to show their class as they poured on the pressure in the vital World Cup football tie.

Nicolas Anelka gave France the lead and a valuable away goal in the 72nd minute of this Ireland vs. France match, after his deflected effort left Shay Given helpless in the Ireland goal.

Les Bleus will know that, barring a relatively unlikely upset in this France vs. Ireland football fixture, they will be joining the list of already-qualified teams headed for the 2010 World Cup football finals next June.

Ireland

Giovanni Trapattoni’s Ireland will have it all to do as they make the trip to France for Wednesday night's crucial match.

Despite a spirited performance, France proved too strong in the second half of the Ireland v France tie, making the return tie a real uphill battle for the Irish.

Ireland will know that their best chances of qualification will again rest in their hard work and quick closing down of the French.

Player for player, France have undoubtedly the more skilled crop, but if Ireland are able to stress their opponents in to bad decisions in their own half of the pitch, rewards can still be reached and an upset could be achieved.

Robbie Keane will have to be much more present in the return France—Ireland leg, as the Tottenham striker failed to trouble the French defence in Dublin.

Prediction

Down only 1-0 on aggregate in this France—Ireland tie, hope is still alive for the Irish.

France has certainly been known to put in lackadaisical performances from time to time. Still, in the end, the home crowd and technical ability of the players should prove the difference on the night.

France v Ireland Prediction : France 1— Ireland 0

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