Mr Coeur de Lion Posted November 18, 2009 Share Posted November 18, 2009 Sad to see. One of my favourite players, but tonight he has shamed himself.Perhaps the first touch of the ball with his hand was instinctive, but the second which enabled him to pass to Gallas to score Frances winner against an unlucky Irish side, certainly wasn't.So, although I wanted France to go through, I am very sad to see it happen in this fashion. Ireland were the better side.Brings back memories of Maradona and his hand of god goal back in 1986. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bubbles Posted November 18, 2009 Share Posted November 18, 2009 Just had a conversation with Mr. PR about this.I wondered how Henry could live with himself after seeing replays of his blatant cheating and hearing the unavoidable comparison with Maradona.Mr. PR didn't think he would have any problem at all - because he just has no shame. Which is a great shame and such a bad example.To have all that talent and still have to cheat.Aaagh. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavyH Posted November 18, 2009 Share Posted November 18, 2009 As with most professional sports it seems that he who gets away with cheating the most is the winner :( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Coeur de Lion Posted November 19, 2009 Author Share Posted November 19, 2009 It's a shame, as on paper, France are a far superior side and should be at the world cup finals anyway, but the manner in which they won was sad. But Ireland put up a good fight and over the two legs could have won.However, France stand a far better shout on winning the tournament than Ireland, so in the grand scheme of things, the right team has gone through.At this moment in time, I think Spain or (yawn) Brazil have to be the strong favourites. England, no hope, they are worse than France. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UlsterRugby1999 Posted November 19, 2009 Share Posted November 19, 2009 [quote user="Richard"]It's a shame, as on paper, France are a far superior side and should be at the world cup finals anyway, but the manner in which they won was sad. But Ireland put up a good fight and over the two legs could have won.However, France stand a far better shout on winning the tournament than Ireland, so in the grand scheme of things, the right team has gone through.At this moment in time, I think Spain or (yawn) Brazil have to be the strong favourites. England, no hope, they are worse than France.[/quote]Agree and disagree. Sure they are the better team but the only goal they scored was from a deflection. Ireland at least were able to score a legitimate and fine goal and despite being 2nd best created many chances which sadly they couldnt finish off. Additionally, on paper stands for very little. Its how they play on the day. In Dublin Ireland were not too far behind France in play, possession and chances and they were miles ahead last night.If you need to cheat to win then you can never have it said that the right team has gone through. Its not right for anything, the game, the supporters, the sponsors or worse still the youngsters who have yet to come through the ranks and now see that cheating is okay if you get away with it.Not only was there 2 handball's missed by 3 damn officials but there was also 2 men offside. How poor is that if these officials are supposed to be the best the IFA have to offer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
le rouge Posted November 19, 2009 Share Posted November 19, 2009 Over the 2 matches I thought France were the better side, especially the 2nd half in Dublin where Ireland never got a look in. Yes France's goals were lucky and Henry's obviously should not have stood but I know who I would rather see in SA. I am biased being half French I suppose!As for England being worse than France as someone said above - you are joking! Even an understrength team were not outshone by Brazil. With all the big guns back England have a great chance. France will get nowhere with Domenech and they have struggled all through qualification which England didnt.Final point. If Sir Alex Ferguson can be 'done' for calling ref Alan Wiley unfit what should be done to Robbie Keane for saying that the play off draw was fixed? To be pleased that France are through is not the same as fixing it so they qualified!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Coeur de Lion Posted November 19, 2009 Author Share Posted November 19, 2009 It's obvious how they got through. Who has much influence in the game? None other than Mr Platini. The man who is trying to get cheating out of the game. Bet he says nothing about last night. The whole thing was rigged to get Portugal, Russia and France through to the finals, although Slovenia nicely upset the apple cart on that one. I am actualy surprised the ref didn't allow a penalty when Anelka dived over Given.At least Henry has admitted his incident, which is unlike players such as Steven Gerrard, Ronaldo, Drogba and the like, who constantly get away with cheating and diving. Henry admitted: "The ball hit my hand and, I will be honest, it was a handball. "I played it, the ref allowed it. It would have been better to do it another way, but I am not the ref." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patf Posted November 19, 2009 Share Posted November 19, 2009 I'm puzzled - how can he be allowed to get away with breaking a rule? Such an important one too.To me it's not cheating but rule breaking which most people do from time to time. If it was rugby the ref would award a penalty and that would be that.What kind of a "game" is it when refs don't enforce the rules? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northender Posted November 19, 2009 Share Posted November 19, 2009 I didn't see the game but having followed football for many years , it seems obvious that either the officials did not see the incident or they saw it and chose to ignore it.This of course , if the latter is true , brings in all sorts of allegations about match fixing.Sometimes referees will ignore incidents in games just to correct previous decisions that they have made and are having second thoughts on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UlsterRugby1999 Posted November 19, 2009 Share Posted November 19, 2009 [quote user="Northender"] I didn't see the game but having followed football for many years , it seems obvious that either the officials did not see the incident or they saw it and chose to ignore it.This of course , if the latter is true , brings in all sorts of allegations about match fixing.[/quote]I dont go along with the match fixing thing. I honestly believe that this was a case of either total ineptness from 4 officials or possibly all three pitchside officials honestly didnt see it. Possibly a combination of the two. Its a hard pill to swallow but thats life. What it does show is (a) the fickleness of people like Platini and the lip service they all pay to cleaning up the game(b) the immediate need for an eye in the sky ref who has the ability to reverse a poor decision by the ref.Either way, Ireland didnt deserve to exit the WC that way but there is nothing that can be done about it now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pachapapa Posted November 19, 2009 Share Posted November 19, 2009 [quote user="UlsterRugby1999"][quote user="Northender"] I didn't see the game but having followed football for many years , it seems obvious that either the officials did not see the incident or they saw it and chose to ignore it.This of course , if the latter is true , brings in all sorts of allegations about match fixing.[/quote]I dont go along with the match fixing thing. I honestly believe that this was a case of either total ineptness from 4 officials or possibly all three pitchside officials honestly didnt see it. Possibly a combination of the two. Its a hard pill to swallow but thats life. What it does show is (a) the fickleness of people like Platini and the lip service they all pay to cleaning up the game(b) the immediate need for an eye in the sky ref who has the ability to reverse a poor decision by the ref.Either way, Ireland didnt deserve to exit the WC that way but there is nothing that can be done about it now.[/quote]And it tells us a LOT about Thierry Henry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Coeur de Lion Posted November 19, 2009 Author Share Posted November 19, 2009 [quote user="le rouge"]Over the 2 matches I thought France were the better side, especially the 2nd half in Dublin where Ireland never got a look in. Yes France's goals were lucky and Henry's obviously should not have stood but I know who I would rather see in SA. I am biased being half French I suppose!As for England being worse than France as someone said above - you are joking! Even an understrength team were not outshone by Brazil. With all the big guns back England have a great chance. France will get nowhere with Domenech and they have struggled all through qualification which England didnt.Final point. If Sir Alex Ferguson can be 'done' for calling ref Alan Wiley unfit what should be done to Robbie Keane for saying that the play off draw was fixed? To be pleased that France are through is not the same as fixing it so they qualified!!! [/quote] That under strength England team struggled to get a single shot on target against an equally under strength Brazil side that barely got out of first gear and still had more than enough to have won by 3 or more goals.England, I'm afraid will not do well next year. No international class goalkeeper, their normally solid defence is looking weak with Ferdinand clearly out of sorts, and the right back Johnson is only good going forward, he his hapless in defence. But no other option at right back. Their strike force basically consists of Rooney. Perhaps Defoe is international quality, but the rest aren't. Midfield is England's main strength though, but they still lack top class wingers. Wright Phillips, Lennon and Walcott have only shown glimpses of ability there, while Beckham is a good option only from the bench. I do like the look of Milner who seems strong and has a good end product. Despite doing well in a relatively easy group, I don't think England have the quality to mount a serious challenge. They'd be lucky to get beyond the quarters.As for match fixing. Don't you think it's interesting how the big guns, Portugal, Russia and France all avoided each other in these play offs? They all got weaker opposition, only Russia let the side down. It's going to be an interesting world cup, and really, the winners are going to be either Spain, Brazil or Germany who always seem to perform when it matters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frederick Posted November 19, 2009 Share Posted November 19, 2009 Its no good Henry saying the ball hit his arm you can clearly see he opened his fist and with the palm of his hand hit and changed the direction of the ball .. There is enough film of it to be seen . Whatever happens from now wherever the French team end up in this competition Henry his team mates and the whole of France will know it was by his dishonest act . It will take the shine off any victory they may achieve . Irish Justice minister is demanding the game be re played such is the disgust in Ireland Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chancer Posted November 19, 2009 Share Posted November 19, 2009 It is only another game, albeit mediatised and commercialised, why do people get so worked up about it?I didnt see the match, in fact I have only watched 2 or 3 matches since the first £100,000 transfer fee so cannot comment but listening to the French radio news today it appears that most people are ashamed according to a sondage where 88% said France didnt deserve to go forward. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iceni Posted November 19, 2009 Share Posted November 19, 2009 Th end of the world is nigh, a footballer cheated. How many Irish fouls went unpunished in this match, I wonder or does that not matter ?John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali-cat Posted November 19, 2009 Share Posted November 19, 2009 [quote user="Frederick"]Its no good Henry saying the ball hit his arm you can clearly see he opened his fist and with the palm of his hand hit and changed the direction of the ball .. There is enough film of it to be seen . Whatever happens from now wherever the French team end up in this competition Henry his team mates and the whole of France will know it was by his dishonest act . It will take the shine off any victory they may achieve . Irish Justice minister is demanding the game be re played such is the disgust in Ireland[/quote] Personally I think it will be forgotten about pretty quickly. These things usually are - by everyone except the people who have lost out.As for a re-match - do they also re-play every game where a goal was disallowed for being off-side, when it wasn't .... when a goal was scored, but a player was actually off-side ... when someone dived & was awarded a penalty ..... and on and on and on. Calling for a re-match is pointless & stupid – where would it end?!!Spotted this in the Belfast Telegraph ..... [Www]Croissant €2 French Beret €5 Bottle of French Red Wine €8 Watching Thierry Henry playing gaelic football, PRICELESS!!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Coeur de Lion Posted November 19, 2009 Author Share Posted November 19, 2009 Personally Iceni, I thought the French went unpunished far more than the Irish. In both legs, the French seemed to get the decisions in their favour.Don't get me wrong, I wanted France to win, I remember what it was like living here in the 2006 world cup. It was great. I guess anything they acheive now will be tarnished.Anyway, the Irish practically admitted they would have done the same thing, so maybe it should just be forgotten about now:Striker Kevin Doyle added: "The linesman had the best view, apart from Shay Given," said Doyle. "I am sure Henry did not expect to get away with it because it was so obvious. It is difficult, we are all gutted. "To see that goal on TV, it is just sickening." "You do not blame the player if he can get away with it, it is nearly a natural reaction." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
le rouge Posted November 19, 2009 Share Posted November 19, 2009 [quote user="Richard"][quote user="le rouge"] Over the 2 matches I thought France were the better side, especially the 2nd half in Dublin where Ireland never got a look in. Yes France's goals were lucky and Henry's obviously should not have stood but I know who I would rather see in SA. I am biased being half French I suppose!As for England being worse than France as someone said above - you are joking! Even an understrength team were not outshone by Brazil. With all the big guns back England have a great chance. France will get nowhere with Domenech and they have struggled all through qualification which England didnt.Final point. If Sir Alex Ferguson can be 'done' for calling ref Alan Wiley unfit what should be done to Robbie Keane for saying that the play off draw was fixed? To be pleased that France are through is not the same as fixing it so they qualified!!! [/quote] That under strength England team struggled to get a single shot on target against an equally under strength Brazil side that barely got out of first gear and still had more than enough to have won by 3 or more goals.England, I'm afraid will not do well next year. No international class goalkeeper, their normally solid defence is looking weak with Ferdinand clearly out of sorts, and the right back Johnson is only good going forward, he his hapless in defence. But no other option at right back. Their strike force basically consists of Rooney. Perhaps Defoe is international quality, but the rest aren't. Midfield is England's main strength though, but they still lack top class wingers. Wright Phillips, Lennon and Walcott have only shown glimpses of ability there, while Beckham is a good option only from the bench. I do like the look of Milner who seems strong and has a good end product. Despite doing well in a relatively easy group, I don't think England have the quality to mount a serious challenge. They'd be lucky to get beyond the quarters.As for match fixing. Don't you think it's interesting how the big guns, Portugal, Russia and France all avoided each other in these play offs? They all got weaker opposition, only Russia let the side down. It's going to be an interesting world cup, and really, the winners are going to be either Spain, Brazil or Germany who always seem to perform when it matters.[/quote] My main point was that England are better team than France which they are on all the evidence I have seen in the qualifiers.Also, if you were going to fix qualification for SA why leave it to a dodgy decision in extra time of the second leg of a play off! As usual the old 'the big teams get all the decisions their way' gets trotted out. Get over it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northender Posted November 19, 2009 Share Posted November 19, 2009 [quote user="Chancer"]It is only another game, albeit mediatised and commercialised, why do people get so worked up about it?[/quote] 1 "Some people believe football is a matter of life and death, I am very disappointed with that attitude. I can assure you it is much, much more important than that." Bill Shankly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UlsterRugby1999 Posted November 19, 2009 Share Posted November 19, 2009 [quote user="Iceni"]Th end of the world is nigh, a footballer cheated. How many Irish fouls went unpunished in this match, I wonder or does that not matter ? John[/quote]I take it John, your TV is a serious shade of Rose. If you are serious about match stats go a look them up and then quote them rather than throw some glib, unfounded piece of horse dung out like that. fouls bear no comparison to a player deliberatley handling the ball TWICE, while also being in an offside position, to ensure that his team gets to the finals of the WC. If it was the same it would be headline news. Its not. Go and search out the stats. I'm sure they are easy to source and then come back with some accurate data and not some fantasy rubbish. [:@]The discussion here also includes the fact that the player actually admitted what he had done to the ref who chose to ignore it. Then after the match he again stated what he had done. For those serious sport people in this world, this leaves a very bitter taste in their/our mouths. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UlsterRugby1999 Posted November 19, 2009 Share Posted November 19, 2009 [quote user="Northender"][quote user="Chancer"] It is only another game, albeit mediatised and commercialised, why do people get so worked up about it?[/quote] 1 "Some people believe football is a matter of life and death, I am very disappointed with that attitude. I can assure you it is much, much more important than that." Bill Shankly[/quote]I remember that. Shanks was a great man and a great leader. I was a boys pen lad in those days. God he walked on water. [:D] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrCanary Posted November 19, 2009 Share Posted November 19, 2009 I've just visited the Le Monde website...They are holding a poll asking: Do France deserve to be in the World cup finals - vote 'yes' or 'no'...Currently, 11.7% of the readers have voted 'yes' and 88.3% 'no'. That is refreshing to see! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Coeur de Lion Posted November 19, 2009 Author Share Posted November 19, 2009 One of my French friends just posted on Facebook and normally he's so pro French football it's not funny. Basically says that France does not deserve to go to SA next year amongst other things. Really shocked me coming from him, was expecting some excuse.Still, at least I know how to get on in life now - cheat!Any word from Michel Platini yet? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Coeur de Lion Posted November 19, 2009 Author Share Posted November 19, 2009 [quote user="UlsterRugby1999"][quote user="Northender"][quote user="Chancer"] It is only another game, albeit mediatised and commercialised, why do people get so worked up about it?[/quote] 1 "Some people believe football is a matter of life and death, I am very disappointed with that attitude. I can assure you it is much, much more important than that." Bill Shankly[/quote]I remember that. Shanks was a great man and a great leader. I was a boys pen lad in those days. God he walked on water. [:D][/quote]And the only manager both Evertonians and Liverpuddlians both respect together. Think he ended up being more Evertonian in the end after the way Liverpool treated him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
powerdesal Posted November 19, 2009 Share Posted November 19, 2009 [quote user="Richard"]Still, at least I know how to get on in life now - cheat![/quote]Alas, it's been that way for ................................................ever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.