Ireland (National Football)

Irish millionaire Darragh MacAnthony has signalled that he is willing to part company with the club after coming in for some racist abuse from irate fans over the clubs recent poor run.

The property tycoon took over Peterborough in 2006 to become the youngest Chairman in English football. At the time, Posh were in League Two and the young Irishman came in with a seven year plan to stabilise the club and reach the Championship.

That ambition was achieved in only two seasons as Peterborough rose through the ranks of English football with Darren Ferguson at the helm.

However, a desperate start to the season saw Posh rooted to the foot of the table and in November the club parted company with young Fergie.

"I have always said that I only want what's best for the football club on and off the field and if that involved me selling and moving on, that's what I shall do if it's for the good of the club," MacAnthony said.

"For me it was about something much more important, achieving the impossible and enjoying it by turning a less fashionable club into a success story and seeing it all the way through to the end.

"The one thing I have never stopped is my support for the club since day one and even over the last year, with the business world turning to s***, I have still supported the club through thick and thin."

MacAnthony is estimated to have lost a substantial amount of his estimated £68m as his company MRI Holdings have been badly hit in the current economic downturn.

The Irishman was clearly shocked by the verbal attack he received from the Posh fans and will step aside if that is their wish.

"So, if people want a new chairman at Posh, I will of course step down and do what's right for the club and its brilliant fans," he continued.

"But at the last game I experienced something I felt would never happen at my club and that was hatred and aggression aimed straight at me in the directors box after Swansea had scored their second goal.

"An irate fan screamed at me that I was an Irish b****** and to f*** off back to Ireland and take the team with me.

"I appreciate we all get emotional if the team is losing, but I would never expect this kind of abuse at my own ground and I am glad that my wife did not attend that match.

"I had planned on bringing my four-year-old son to the Watford match, but I would not expose my child to that kind of hatred and aggression and this has put me at a big low point as owner of the club.

"It's a shame for people to throw the towel in after four months and become abusive and desert the team."

As it stands Peterborough are seven points adrift at the bottom of the league and are favourites to be relegated. The club needs to turn things around quickly, whether MacAnthony will be there remains to be seen.

In light of recent events in Paris the debate for video evidence in football has raised its ugly head again.

With Thierry Henry's "Hand of God" moment the Republic of Ireland exited the World Cup in the cruelest of fashions, but where does that leave football as a whole?

FIFA have come out and stated that there will be no change to the rules for the World Cup in South Africa next year. Ireland's request to replay the tie again was always doomed to failure—for one simple reason, "Precedent".

The fact that France have got to the World Cup Finals by cheating has not been lost on anyone, but any hopes of Ireland gaining a replay of the match, or even an extra spot at next year's finals, were always doomed to failure.

The implications of any changing of the outcome of the match in light of the video evidence would be like opening every contentious decision up to video scrutiny. The just thing to do would have been to replay the match as Ireland had wanted, but that would set a precedent.

Once that door is open there is no hope of closing it. Would Sheffield United, who were relegated from the Premiership because of Carlos Tevez's inclusion as an ineligible player then demand that Manchester United replay their match against West Ham? I know that is an extreme example, but if FIFA make the decision to change their rules for one then they could do it for another.

The best course of action for FIFA would be to lay out a strong set of post match rules based on video evidence. If a player is found to have cheated in a game, for example handling the ball in the box as Henry did or clearly diving to "win a penalty" or get a player sent off, then a "video review panel" could give punishments to the players or the clubs if the referee missed it.

A three-man panel should be made up of an ex-referee, ex-player or manager and a legal expert or official of the sports governing body. The ex-professionals on the panel should be voted onto the panel by their peers so that there is no show of bias.

They should be able to hand out player bans for simulation, or other contentious issues raised teams on the wrong end of decisions or by the governing body, and players who are accused should be allowed to appeal the charges.

The cost to teams that have been cheated can be immense as Ireland have just discovered, not just for the nation but for everyone involved. The FAI have lost out financially, the Irish players have lost out because it could have boosted their careers in immeasurable ways. The Irish fans have missed out on possibly going to a tournament that for a nation of Ireland's size is very very difficult to qualify for at the best of times.

However, I don't feel that results on the field should be changed. If an official missed a call or made a bad decision on the field it stays on the field. The only way that sportsmanship can return to football it would seem is for players to be punished for their transgressions.

It doesn't help that diving is now called simulation. By calling it simulation it validates it and makes it appear to be much less of a bad thing.

It is also common place now to say that when a player dives in the penalty area they win a penalty, that should stop. They haven't won a penalty they have cheated to gain an advantage. The player should be banned for at least five games. If they persist and do it again increase it to a 10-game ban, and then a 15-game ban.

Coaches, managers, and team owners will start to tell their players to stay on their feet because losing a player for so long can be more detrimental to a side than the possible short term advantage of the penalty.

These punitive penalties won't help Ireland but in this instance it would have been prudent for FIFA to ban Henry for at least nine games. This would preclude him from taking any further part in the French team's South Africa campaign.

It would only be of small consolation to the Republic of Ireland but it would certainly send a clear deterrent to future cheats of the game.

FIFA has revealed that the Republic of Ireland now want to be given an extra place at the World Cup 2010 after their playoff defeat.

The Republic controversially lost to an extra-time goal when France captain Thierry Henry handled the ball in the build-up.

The offence was missed by both the referee and his assistant, and the goal stood, with France winning 2-1 on aggregate to seal a place in South Africa next summer.

The Republic has already failed in an attempt to have the game replayed, despite Henry and others admitting that it would be fairest thing to do.

However, their latest bid to receive justice could also affect Costa Rica, who felt they were robbed of a place when Uruguay scored an offside goal, meaning the Central American country should also be considered for an extra place.

Thankfully, the Republic's request looks set to be turned down.

Why can't Ireland just accept they're out? The referee didn't see it, couldn't call a foul, and retrospectively, the game should not be replayed.

If we take precedence from this, it will happen more and more. Hundreds of games around the world will be replayed because a referee didn't see a foul being committed, which changed the game.

What if the referee fails to send someone off and that player goes on to score, or sets up a goal, or prevents a goal being conceded? Does that mean there is justification for the losing team to ask for the game to be replayed, or for them to be awarded points, or qualify for a competition?

The entire situation is beyond ridiculous now, but we know that the Irish don't take "No" for an answer (as witnessed when the Irish were told to vote again on the Lisbon Treaty)!

We don't need replayed games where one side feels they were suffered an injustice, we need better support for the match officials.

You can look around the world at a number of other sports to see how video technology and additional officials make a game fairer. Sadly, football has been very slow on the uptake of both.

That's what FIFA needs to be focusing on, and not pressure from the Football Association of Ireland and the Irish media.

FIFA President Sepp Blatter is exacerbating the situation further by even considering their request.

An extraordinary meeting of FIFA's Executive Committee goes ahead in Cape Town on Wednesday ahead of the draw on Friday, and Blatter is to mention the Irish request, as well as the possibility of extra officials (as trialled in this season's Europa League) and an introduction of video technology.

If the Executive Committee recommends the proposals to bring in the extra officials, it will go to the International FA Board's annual meeting in March for final approval.

That's several more days of everyone having a say on the latest developments, how it's unfair that cheating exists in the game, and that everyone is hard done to.

Get over yourself! At the moment, the referee's decision is final. Until that rule is changed, you're going to have to live with it. If you can't, either shut up complaining about it or leave the sport.

Shay Given sits on the French turf and contemplates what might have been, his state of dejection is mirrored by the Irish fans at the other end of the stadium and by the millions at home in Ireland watching it on RTE as Eamon Dunphy declares "We were robbed."

Bleary-eyed from being up at six in the morning to catch the game on Australia ESPN, I sat in disgust as Thierry Henry, not once, but twice, handled the ball to set up William Gallas' winner and doom the Republic to another summer of inaction.

The disgust turned to rage as I text everyone and anyone who would read them that the "Thierry Henry 14" shirt that has made home in my closet since the Arsenal Invincibles era was no longer wanted.

Immediately Theirry Henry's indiscretion became global. Both Australian and International networks ran the story for days, the titles cliche ridden:

Henry Gives France A Helping Hand to South Africa.

Henry Hands France Victory. 

The Irish media were not as kind, branding Henry as 'Le Cheat '. And what Henry did was cheating what ever which way you chose to look at it but at the end it proves so much why I and so many millions more love this game so much.

It opened an endless debate. Is Henry a cheat? Should France be made to replay the match? Is Raymond Domenech a cowboy coach who doesn't deserve to manage at the World Cup?

Was its Ireland's fault for not taking their chances? Did the French nation feel the embarrassment as embodied by Arsene Wenger's response?

Is Roy Keane a sideshow who needs to worry more about Ipswich and less about John Delaney? Should video technology be introduced?

As the dust has settled on my own cloud of anger I endeavour to answer these questions now.

Is Henry a cheat?

To put it simply, yes. What he did was cheating and the manner in which he celebrated made it worse.

The constant argument for the pro-Henry side has been that he was merely doing what any other professional would do to get his country to a World Cup.

Forgive me for being naive but perhaps he could have ran more? Tried to impact the game with his skill and speed?

What France got over the two legs was not the Henry of old and in the end he resorted to something from the lowest common denominator.

Surely a team that boasts players from Barcelona, Real Madrid, Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea and Lyon can pull something better out of the bag than a blatant handball?

If Arsenal fans are being honest, Henry was always prone to the odd dive and over the top reaction - just ask Carlos Puyol - but it is really not something that I expected to happen. He was playing Ireland but it wasn't Gaelic Football!!

His pitiful "remorse" afterwards made it even harder to bare. His only remorse was that the handball will stick with him and his career forever, not that he actually did it. Like a husband who has cheated, his only regret is been found out, not the act itself.

As a die hard Arsenal fan Henry's reputation has been tarnished somewhat in my eyes which leads to an important and valid point.

Is it only becomes I am Irish I care so much? If it was against England, Germany or Italy would it have even bothered me? 

Would Thierry Henry still be the all time leading goalscorer for my club instead of the man who cheated my nation? Perhaps........probably!!

Should France be made to replay the match?

In a perfect world it would be a nice gesture for the French to offer a replay but its not going to happen, it would set a bad precedent. 

Is Raymond Domenech a cowboy coach who doesn't deserve to manage at the World Cup?

Oui, Oui, Oui!!!

It would have been nice for Giovanni Trapattoni to get one last crack of the World Cup whip but alas it is not to be.

Its also a loss that Guus Hiddink couldn't guide Russia to South Africa but well done to Slovenia who fought their way there.

Raymond Domenech didn't get his players to South Africa, they got him their by fair means or foul.

Was its Ireland's fault for not taking their chances?

No. The game had penalty shoot-out written all over it. It's not like France took any of their chances either.

Did the French nation feel the embarrassment as embodied by Arsene Wenger's response?

Yes. They are a proud footballing nation who not so long ago won a World Cup and European Championship back-to-back. The bad press was world wide and the country enter the World Cup with a large shadow overhead.

Is Roy Keane a sideshow who needs to worry more about Ipswich and less about John Delaney?

This is like one of those situations where a bad pop act is on The X Factor and you'd rather not hear or read about them. Stop listening to them and they will go away.

Some say he is entertaining, many more will argue boring and attention seeking.

He claims it was Ireland's fault for not clearing the ball in the last few minutes, took Keane himself a while to get that through to the Ipswich players.

He seems to think he has more of a right to talk on the matter than Arsene Wenger as he is "Irish." Jeez, where in the world is Arsene Wenger from? France!! Now why does that country seem relevant.

All we appeared to have learnt is that Roy Keane likes himself, doesn't mind cheating because it is part and parcel of the game and feels hard done by, by the whole world. 

Should video technology be introduced?

Yes. Mark Hughes and Arsene Wenger both made compelling arguments for video technology after the incident.

Wenger claimed it an injustice that two billion people worldwide could see it was a handball but one man couldn't, he being the most important.

FIFA have long campaigned against the introduction of replays stating they would break the flow of play.

As Mark Hughes rightly pointed out, doesn't the goal itself not break the flow anyway? What is a couple of more seconds to look over play going to change?

It works effectively in Rugby Union so why not at least test it in football?

So you see, while what Thierry Henry did was very wrong, his actions make you remember why you love the game so much.

His one action has created a mass of debates that has certainly kept me entertained in the pubs, on the internet and just in the street.

It is the pain you get from watching the game you love.

Chin up fellow people of the Emerald Isle, at least we have yet another moral victory to add to our collection.

On Friday afternoon Roy Keane's outburst about Ireland's loss to France surprised everyone. His constant use of the phrase "get over it" has now come back at him as FAI Chief, John Delaney has hit back at the "sad" Keane and told him to "get over Saipan."

It was a strangely aggressive Keane that took to the press conference podium at Portman Road. His body language was simmering even before any questions were asked.

He seemed like a lion, waiting to ambush, before he gets ambushed himself.

When asked if he had any words on Ireland's defeat after Thierry Henry's handball he had this to say:

"Ireland had chances at Croke Park and in Paris but didn't take them," he said. "France were there for the taking but Ireland never grabbed it–as usual ."

"They were afraid of that next step and were mentally not strong enough ."

"They can complain all they want. That is not going to change anything. France are going to the World Cup–get over it . They want sympathy as usual. It is the usual carry on and it is boring. Get over it. "

"It is the usual FAI reaction -'we've been robbed,' 'the honesty of the game' but there was one of the group matches [Georgia] when Ireland got a penalty for a handball and no one had appealed for it."

"It was one of the worst decisions I have ever seen and it changed the game and the group. Robbie Keane scored the penalty and Ireland went on to win but I don't remember the FAI saying 'You know what? The referee made a howler, let's give them a replay.' It is the same principle."

"It [Henry's handball to set up William Gallas's decisive goal] was instinct for Henry. Would I call him a cheat? No I wouldn't think so. Did he bend the rule a little? Maybe. You see cheating going on all the time. Nobody wants a cheat. I wouldn't agree that Henry is a cheat. He is a top, top player who took advantage of the situation."

"I don't feel the game has been damaged one bit. Ireland had the chances. They never took the chance in the first game. They never performed. I heard an interview after the first game when the manager said none of the players got booked–maybe that was the problem, maybe the players should have got booked because they stood off France. In the second game we had opportunities and didn't take them."

While Keane did make some valid points during his statement on Ireland, the vitriol in which he went about it was there for all to see.

Keane obviously still has some pent up anger towards the FAI, most likely about Saipan in 2006, where he left the Irish World Cup squad after a massive argument with Mick McCarthy.

It was also very strange to hear Keane try to direct his rage towards Shay Given, who made his 102nd appearance for Ireland on Wednesday.

But he reserved special attention for John Delaney.

"He talks about the honesty and integrity of the game but I would not take any notice of that man," Keane said. "People forget what went on in the World Cup in 2002 and that man talks about honesty. I have been involved with Ireland since I was 15 years but he didn't have the decency to even make a phone call–and he goes on about the honesty of the game."

The manner in which Keane made these statements on Friday were strange to say the least. He directed the press conference towards the Irish game, and then appeared to get something off his chest by attacking the FAI and Delaney in particular.

In truth, Keane came off like a struggling individual. A worrying case for all those who idolized him and who have backed him through thick and thin.

One would almost think that he is on the verge of becoming a caricature of himself, a David Brent of football, if he is not too careful.

On Sunday night, FAI Chief John Delaney urged Keane to let go of Saipan, turning the Corkman's words on himself by telling him that he should be the one to let it go.

"It's just a side-show."

"We've all moved on from Saipan-Niall Quinn, Mick McCarthy, the FAI and all the players- but it seems to me that he (Keane) hasn't."

"It's time for him now, in my opinion, to learn from the past-not live with it."

"I really thought the images shown around the world on Friday were very sad-it's sad to see a great former player reflected in the manner as he did."

"It's time to forget about Saipan and move on-because everyone else has."

In this respect, John Delaney is right.

Saipan was seven years ago, everyone has moved on, it's time to let it go.

Paul McGrath, a friend of Keane wrote on Sunday that he was looking at the press conference screaming at Roy on the TV to "stop" and to "shut up", wondering what he was doing.

The giant Irishman is one of a select few who know the full story of what happened in Saipan, and is a known backer of Keane. But even he saw the impending breakdown that is looming on the horizon for the ex-Manchester United player.

For his own sake, Keane needs to let go, and to learn how to deal with these situations in a better manner. His future as a manager and as a person, depends on it.

The World Cup, much like the Olympics, is meant to be a pinnacle of the sporting world.  Countries pin their hopes and wishes on their team, hoping to ride an emotional wave of pride and euphoria to a title.  Unless, of course, someone cheats and knocks your team out of the tournament before they ever get to play a game.

I can’t shake the image of Thierry Henry controlling the ball with his hand.  It haunts me.  If I lived in Ireland, my day would consist of moping around in shock, anger and disbelief. 

For those that aren’t aware of the situation, Ireland and France were playing off for a World Cup berth, with France having won the first leg 1-0.  Ireland was winning the second leg 1-0, when the offending play happened.  France striker, Thierry Henry, controlled the ball in the box with his hand before passing it back across the goal to William Gallas, who headed home the tying goal.  That goal sent France to the World Cup and denied Ireland the chance to play in the world’s biggest tournament.  If you haven’t seen the play, here it is. 

The essence of sports is that they provide an arena for competition among athletes where the better athlete or team is rewarded with a victory and the satisfaction of besting an opponent.  This arena should provide fair competition, so that it’s the skill and determination of the competitors that decide the outcome, not different rules for different competitors.

Is this the only time that anyone has cheated in soccer or another sport?  Of course not, but it’s a fantastic example of the dark side of sports.  If you don’t believe me, just go back to that YouTube clip and watch Henry, number 12, celebrating his cheater’s triumph.  He was soaking in the cheers of the fans, even though he knew that it wasn’t a fair goal.

I don’t think Henry planned to control the ball with his hand.  It looks like a natural reaction on the replay.  What he could have done, however, was put his hand up and admit to the indiscretion.  He didn’t have to claim the goal, that was his choice.

The problem is, this type of behavior is continually rewarded.  Players dive and handle the ball all the time, and officials let them get away with it.  In fact, players are often rewarded for their antics with penalties and free kicks.  If we want them to be sportsmanlike, then match officials need to start rewarding sportsmanlike behavior and punishing those who dive, tug jerseys and other foul play.

Many people have asked why the referee didn’t blow the play down, but I’m not sure he saw it.  His line of sight was blocked and it would have been up to the linesman to make the call then.  When the pace of the play is so quick and there are a mass of players in the box, it’s not always easy to see.  This is why so many major sports have included the use of instant replay.  FIFA, however, has steadfastly refused to incorporate the technology, despite support for it.  Most of the proposals have been to include replay only for reviewing goals, and this could have been one of those situations.

Another thing that really bothers me about the whole situation, is the lack of support from other football federations.  Other countries should be just as upset by the injustice as Ireland is.  Why haven’t England, Spain, Italy or the Netherlands spoken up?  Why aren’t other nations saying they don’t want to be in the group stage against a team that advanced unfairly.

It’s hard to say the blame is all at the feet of Henry, the match official or the FIFA officials who refuse to add replay for goals.  They all have some blame, and they are all responsible for ripping the hearts out of Irish fans.  They don’t owe Ireland an apology; they owe them a chance at the World Cup. 

Ireland hasn’t asked for a victory, they’ve asked for replay, essentially a “do-over” on the game.  I don’t think that’s too much to ask given that the result was so tainted.  This wasn’t an extra goal in a 5-1 game, it was the deciding goal in the final minutes of the decisive match.

FIFA needs to remember that there are a whole generation of young fans watching these games that just learned it’s OK to cheat.  How would you explain the game to a 6-year-old?  If the hand ball was wrong, then it should have been called back, it’s that simple.

Another thing that really bothers me about the whole situation, is the lack of support from other football federations.  Other countries should be just as upset by the injustice as Ireland is.  Why haven’t England, Spain, Italy or the Netherlands spoken up?  Why aren’t other nations saying they don’t want to be in the group stage against a team that advanced unfairly.

For their transgressions, Henry, the match official and FIFA officials should be sentenced to wander the streets of Dublin on St. Patty’s Day.

Find other articles by Ryan P at Sports Opinionated.

Listen to enough English radio and TV talk shows and you'd be certain that Thierry Henry was a murderer and that the French Republic was harbouring a wanted fugitive.

Travesty of justice. Miscarriage of Justice. Cheats. Typical French. Frogs. And and and. Ahem.

What happened on Wednesday in the game between France and Ireland is nothing new and will forever happen. What Thierry Henry did was instinctive, almost everyone agrees that it is a human reaction to try to keep the ball playing.

For Robbie Keane and them to suggest that the French planned to cheat is simply clutching at straws. The Irish FA has now requested FIFA to replay the game because a precedent has been set by an FA Cup between Arsenal and Sheffield. This is unlikely.

It sets a very dangerous precedent and creates a rot on the back of FIFA and UEFA. The Irish FA chief when quizzed on why when he didn't request a replay in their Georgia game when apparently a a dubious decision was given in their favor, he stated without irony that the two games were different?

Are they? Ireland win a game in dubious circumstances and it is fine. They lose a game and the whole world must stop. The Irish Chief went on to state that they are requesting the replay because amongst other things "the whole world was watching."

This, when four other games were playing. Hardly the whole world, I'd say. Did Henry cheat? It depends on how you look at it. 

Hasn't Ireland benefited from a question call during games and never thought otherwise? Are they only team to have been victims of poor officiating? England lost the World Cup to a handball. Ireland lost a game.

Get over it move on. A match not worth more than three points. Robbie Keane cries out that UEFA and FIFA are celebrating now that a bigger nation has qualified instead of them. And? Give me a sponsor that would like to see minnows competing in a money making tournament. The FA would much rather have a Manchester United - Liverpool game everyday of the week than a Stoke and Hull FA Cup final.

It is business. Football is business, Keane. Deal with it. Yes, FIFA are happy France are through. UEFA are happy that Ireland is out. Move on. As for Ireland calling France cheats?

Didn't they have a fraud Tony Cascarino playing for them for a good 14 years? Will they agree that all those 88 games the fraudster played be invalidated and the opposing teams be compensated? European Championships and World Cups the fraud played in.

While many people sympathise with the manner in which they lost the game, this is not a world crisis. Ultimately, it is just a game.There'll be more coming and I am certain they'll win some controversially.

Outrage around the world over the blatant act of cheating in the crucial World Cup 2010 Euro zone play off qualifying match between France and Republic of Ireland, has put FIFA in the spotlight this week.

Thierry Henry's now infamous double handball in the build up to the French equaliser, which secured them a 2-1 aggregate victory over Republic of Ireland, has brought both the values of fair play in football and the integrity of the game as a whole into question. Now, more than ever, FIFA must respond.

The FIA launched an official complaint this evening demanding that FIFA nullify the result and force France to replay the match. In their complaint they claim that FIFA has set a precedent for action to be taken having stepped in and ordered a replay in a World Cup qualifier in 2005 between Bahrain and Uzbekistan.

The Bahrain Vs Uzbekistan Incident

"Asian Football Confederation president Mohamed Bin Hammam has expressed regret over FIFA's decision to replay the Uzbekistan-Bahrain 2006 World Cup finals qualifier play-off.

FIFA ordered the match, which Uzbekistan won 1-0 on September 3 in Tashkent, to be replayed because of a "technical error" by Japanese referee Toshimitsu Yoshida.

Yoshida ruled out a penalty scored by Server Djeparov because of encroachment in the area by a Uzbek team-mate but crucially did not allow them to retake the penalty and awarded a freekick to Bahrain.

"Uzbekistan had been penalised twice and the winning side had become the victims. It was an unfortunate and serious error by Japanese referee Toshimitsu Yoshida," Hammam said in a statement."

The Rules of the Game

The Irish are likely to have their complaint fall on deaf ears as FIFA have regularly quoted the following ruling in similar incidents where diving or unseen goals have gone unnoticed by match officials.

"The Laws of the Game state.. The decisions of the referee regarding facts connected with play, including whether or not a goal is scored and the result of the match, are final."

FIA Complaint

However, the Irish have made a strong argument in their plea and the fact that the handball was recognised by the FIFA commissioner, the referee observer and the match officials, as well as by the player himself surely sets this dramatic incident aside from any other that may have come previously?

France may be heading to South Africa 2010 as things stand, but there will be a shadow of doubt hanging in their minds, until FIFA officially break their silence on the incident and, most likely, reject the Irish complaints.

It was expected by many that France would win fairly convincingly at the Stade de France in Paris in their World Cup play-off second-leg match against Ireland, and smoothly qualify for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

This assumption was fairly logical after all, considering the French had a star-studded cast of players who play for the likes of Manchester United, Arsenal, FC Barcelona, Real Madrid, Chelsea, Lyon, etc.

On top of that, Nicolas Anelka scored the only goal of the game at Croke Park in Dublin to give France a 1-0 away win and that very important away goal.

Therefore, the result in Dublin meant that Ireland needed to make history and win at the Stade de France, something no team (even Brazil) has done in many, many years; thus it was high unlikely Ireland would be going through to the 2010 World Cup.

However, as we all know, France were very poor on that Wednesday night and ashamed their 62 million population.

Ireland on the other hand, were brilliant, executing Giovanni Trapattoni's tactics to perfection, as well as carving out the majority of decent goalscoring opportunities and making the most of their possession.

It was an all-round brilliant performance from the Irish, who were also incredibly good defensively, a performance that should make proud the 4.2 million inhabitants on the Emerald Isle, as well as the millions of Irish citizens around the world.

So instead of being a boring and convincing win for the French, the match turned out to be one of the most entertaining, gripping and heart-stopping encounters in recent years.

From Robbie Keane's goal to level the aggregate score at 1-1, to Damien Duff's glorious winning opportunity, and Nicolas Anelka's penalty appeal at the start of extra-time, this match had it all.

"Had it all" meaning that it had a vital ingredient to make it the most memorable World Cup play-off match in history.

This football encounter was extremely controversial; so controversial it made the definition of controversy, Formula One (the pinnacle of motorsport), pale in comparison.

The picture above shows the very moment at which the international uproar commenced.

Ex-Arsenal striker Thierry Henry handles the ball twice before laying the ball off to William Gallas to put into the net, and give France an all important match equaliser and aggregate lead minutes from the end of extra-time.

That moment was so controversial, the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) have written to the France Football Federation (FFF) requesting a replay, and launching an official complaint to the sport's world governing body, FIFA.

But why has Thierry Henry's handball incident caused so much international controversy?

Firstly, it was a blatant violation of football's universal and standardised rules that went completely unnoticed by the officials, whose primary concern is to ensure that the laws of the game are enforced.

Whilst on the topic of officials, referee Martin Hansson proved in that match why, contrary to current media talk, he is one of, if not the best referee in world football.

France's goal was not his problem. Why? Because when there are human bodies that obviously are not transparent in the way of the referee's line of vision for the ball, how on earth is he meant to see what is happening?

So whose problem was it? The assistant referee's problem, because that man has a duty to assist the referee and make decisions when the referee is unable to.

The referee was unable to make that call as he could not see the ball. The assistant referee could see it very clearly, and has disgraced himself by not flagging up to indicate to the referee that a law of the game had been violated, and the player deliberately handled the ball, which by law of the game is a cautionable offence.

Martin Hansson had a brilliant game and got every other decision correct; it's such a shame that his reputation has been tarnished by an incompent member of his officiating team.

Anyway, a second reason why Henry's handball was so controversial was that it re-opened that age-old debate of whether video technology should be introduced to further enhance the sport of football.

The handball incident was perfect evidence as to why the technology should be introduced, as it would stamp out incorrect indecisions and enable officials to penalise those who violate the rules of the game.

Had video technology been used in this match, the goal would not have stood, Henry would have been shown a yellow card, and Shay Given would have kicked the ball forward from the resulting free-kick as opposed to ruefully picking the ball out of his own net (after the inevitable, desperate appeals to the referee of course).

And lastly, a third reason is that it highlighted how cruel of a sport football can be.

For all the effort, determination and dominance Ireland showed in their performance, they were ultimately undone by an incorrect decision from the referee.

They undoubtedly deserved to win, and yet they lost, not through a legitimate goal from France by brilliantly carving open the defence, but through an illegal handling of the ball, all created by another opponent player who touched the ball onto Henry when being in an offside position (further incompetence by the assistant referee).

The whole world was watching as France took on Ireland at the Stade de France in Paris.

The whole world saw the moment at which Thierry Henry disgraced not only the entire French population, but also the sport of football.

It shows what this sport has succumbed to; players deliberately cheating in order to reach the pinnacle of football.

There was a time in football's past where moral integrity rose high above success.

Now in the modern era, this sport has adopted the Lombardian ethic: winning isn't everything, it's the only thing.

France cheated their way to South Africa tonight after Ireland succumbed to a travesty of justice as Thierry Henry handled the ball twice in the build up to William Gallas' winning goal.

It was an outrageous way to win the match after Ireland had taken the game to their "mighty" opponents and put in the kind of performance that the players will remember for years.

Going into the game all eyes were on Paris as Irish fans descended on the city in their thousands. The French Football Federation only supplied the FAI with 8,000 tickets but almost 20,000 fans defied the recession to support the boys in green.

Ireland were expected to play the game as tight as possible but they caught Raymond Domenech and the French team off guard as they tore into their illustrious opponents right from the start.

The manner of the Irish performance was a joy to see. Giovani Trappatoni seemed to have encouraged his side to be as adventurous as possible and their ambition was there for all to see.

Ireland's midfield was immense, with Damien Duff and Liam Lawrence standing out as they inflicted their game upon the French and Patrice Evra and Sagna in particular.

All the omens were against Ireland going into this match. The Irish had not beaten a team seeded higher than them away from home since 1987, under Domenech France had only ever lost one on home soil, and no team to ever take the lead in an away leg had ever lost a UEFA playoff.

But Ireland have never lost when Robbie Keane scored.

And score he did.

The Tallaght man was immense all night, his work-rate was phenomenal, his touch exquisite, and his radar for goal on full alert.

If you had just turned the match on you would have been forgiven for thinking that it was the French who were dictating play, such was Ireland's dominance.

And their goal was a thing of beauty.

Having gone close through Doyle and Keane in the minutes leading into the opening strike. Ireland twisted the knife and cut the French defence apart as they moved the ball from one side of the pitch to the other before Damien Duff raced onto Kilbane's perfectly weighted through ball. The boy from Ballyboden then picked out Tottenham Hotspur's Keane, who had pulled out to the penalty spot, and he twisted his body to suit the path of the ball and simply passed it past the superb Lloris to give Ireland a well deserved lead.

Ireland continued their dominance until half time, and it was just one of those days when France were literally saved by the bell.

France were expected to come out and take the game to the superior Irish, but again Ireland were the better side.

Time after time they cut France apart, and Shay Given was a forelorn figure in the Irish goal as none of the much celebrated French strikers troubled him at all.

Liam Lawrence was the chief architect for Ireland's best chances in the second half, as his beautiful through ball found Damien Duff clear on goal with on Lloris to beat.

The young Lyon 'keeper spread himself well to block Duff's effort, but the Fulham wingers strike was straight at his foil and barely tested him.

Minutes later, Lawrence wriggled his way past two defenders before prodding the ball to Keane who skipped past Gallas and into a one-on-one with Lloris. He sold him a beautiful dummy to leave the goal open, but his initial touch was too heavy and the ball ran agonizingly wide as the Spurs man held his head in wonder.

The misses were to prove costly as the game moved into extra time. The Irish, beginning to wilt after their phenomenal effort made a couple of changes to spice thing up, but their bench is their Achilles heel, and without the likes of Steven Reid, Andy Reid, Stephen Ireland, Chris McCann, Stephen Kelly, and Steve Finnan, Ireland were always going to struggle as their team got pushed to it's limit.

Even still, the French failed to make any chances of note and Thierry Henry was only a peripheral figure as the game moved towards extra time.

With Ireland tiring, France gained more possession, but heroic defending from the men in green denied them time and space, and whoever scored the next goal would almost certainly win the game.

The knockout blow came from a set-piece that Ireland failed to deal with, but on closer examination, the goal should never have been allowed.

Martin Hansson had a very good game and made right decisions throughout the night, most notably Nicolas Anelka's dive when moving past Given.

But he and his assistants made grave errors as France had two men in an offside position as the free kick was taken, then Richard Dunne was pulled over as he attempted to clear the ball, and then Thierry Henry handled the ball twice to keep in it play and then picked out Gallas on the line to head home France's winner.

It was the cruelest of blows for the heroic Irish, as France had barely threatened the Irish goal all evening.  To lose to blatant cheating from one of the games great players is one thing but for the referee to miss key decisions in the build up to the goal is unforgivable.

Liam Brady, Ireland's assistant manager, ahd called for stern refereeing in the playoffs after UEFA President, Michel Platini, had decided to seed the playoffs to aid the higher seeded teams progress to South Africa.

It is a bitter pill for Ireland to swallow. When a player of Thierry Henry's calibre cheats to win, it leaves a stain on the game.

And now UEFA and FIFA will most probably do their best to sweep this ugly incident under the carpet.

Kevin Doyle spoke magnanimously about Henry after the match, saying that "any player would probably do the same. It's a natural instinct. But for the referee to miss it, and for the linesman not to call it after he had a clear view...well...."

The incident will further the calls for video evidence, but it is hard to see Michel Platini backing away from his extra two referee experiment which is due to start next season.

Marco Tardelli said the game had "diminished" after Henry's foul.

And he does have a point.

Diving and cheating have the ability to ruin the game, and it is hard to imagine the likes of an elite sportsman in any other code cheating to win.

Tiger Woods has owned up to fouls when he could take advantage of a situation, as has Roger Federer.

Henry is in that league of sportsman, and tonight he will hold his head in shame.