Henry: Replay Tainted France-Ireland Game

(CBS/ AP)  France's Thierry Henry said the "fairest solution" would be to replay the disputed France-Ireland World Cup playoff game. FIFA, however, rejected Ireland's appeal earlier Friday, ruling out the possibility of a rematch

Henry used his left hand to keep the ball from going out of play, then passed to William Gallas, who headed in the decisive goal. At the time of Henry's unpunished handball, the match was 17 minutes from reaching a penalty shootout.

Henry issued a statement Friday admitting he handled the ball and that he felt embarrassed at how France qualified for the World Cup at the expense of Ireland. Swedish referee Martin Hansson did not spot the infraction.

Henry said the handball was an "instinctive reaction" and denied cheating.

Henry said: "The fairest solution would be to replay the game but it is not in my control."

The match at Stade de France ended in a 1-1 draw, enough to qualify France for next year's World Cup in South Africa 2-1 on aggregate after the 1998 world champions won the first leg of the playoff in Dublin 1-0.

"In the reply, FIFA states that the result of the match cannot be changed and the match cannot be replayed," FIFA said in a statement. "As is clearly mentioned in the Laws of the Game, during matches, decisions are taken by the referee and these decisions are final."

In Dublin on Friday, the Football Association of Ireland said it received FIFA's reply rejecting a replay. The FAI said its management board would meet to consider the matter later Friday.

Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen said he would raise the issue with French President Nicolas Sarkozy at a meeting of the 27 EU leaders in Brussels.

FIFA did order Uzbekistan and Bahrain to replay a World Cup qualifying match in 2005 following a referee's critical error. However, there is no precedent to order a replay because of second-guessing a referee's judgment on the field.

Irish lawmaker Joe McHugh said France should follow the 1999 precedent set by Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, a Frenchman who volunteered to replay a match in England's FA Cup after the Gunners won on an unfair goal.

[Sky017]

There have been many debates about the use of video technology. When the Beautiful Game is in full flow, many experts have said that the interruptions due to video replays would kill the flow. And it would cause referees and their assistants to be a bit complacent. As it is now they have to be fit, in the right position, and of good judgment.

And they are perhaps right.

I endorse the idea to have two more Referee's Assistants on the field. One at each goalkeeper's end, on the far side of where the linesman is.

If that were in use, that extra official would surely have spotted the handball. And that exta official can also provide good input on fouls in the penalty area and the award of penalties.

Aside: France should have perhaps been awarded a penalty for a foul on Anelka. (Doesn't make the handball decision right.)

[markybruv]

Should have played better in the first round, Roy Keane was right.

[Vernique2]

Maybe it is time to boycott products of games sponsors. Time to bring soccer out of the dark ages with instant replay.

[mikedolan]

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