Ireland, get a grip
Bill Welt
Issue date: 11/20/09 Section: Sports
Officials wronged the Irish soccer team in its 2-1 loss to France in a World Cup qualification playoff match.
French star Thierry Henry clearly handed the ball before kicking an assist to teammate William Gallas across the net for the game-winning goal during extended-time.
Henry admitted to handing the ball but told the press to take their questions to the referee who did not make the call.
Ireland's soccer association immediately called for a 'replay' or rematch to reconcile the bad call that cost the Irish soccer club a chance to compete in the 2010 World Cup.
The association's wish for a rematch is obviously out of the question.
It's understandable why Ireland is so upset, especially since soccer is the dominant sport in the region.
Missed calls are part of the game. That doesn't make them OK, but once the call has been made final, there's no reversal.
There are no redos or rematches on the basis of a bad call, no matter how big or how bad the call was.
A team can avoid a situation, as in the case of Ireland, by simply playing better.
The association has reacted in an entirely wrong fashion by trying to lobby to FIFA for a rematch, and should better represent their country by acting accordingly on the international stage.
To a number of countries, the World Cup carries a much larger significance than most people here in the United States are aware of.
In North Africa, four Algerian players were hurt upon their arrival in Egypt in a World Cup qualifier.
Most of us here would find that shocking because you usually don't see fans physically injuring opposing players. But that's how serious the sport is on the international stage.
The World Cup has a lot of conflict involved because there are countries in political crisis all over the globe competing in the worldwide event.
With the high level intensity that comes with the World Cup, FIFA and team officials need to act with integrity and maintain sportsmanship no matter the outcome.
French star Thierry Henry clearly handed the ball before kicking an assist to teammate William Gallas across the net for the game-winning goal during extended-time.
Henry admitted to handing the ball but told the press to take their questions to the referee who did not make the call.
Ireland's soccer association immediately called for a 'replay' or rematch to reconcile the bad call that cost the Irish soccer club a chance to compete in the 2010 World Cup.
The association's wish for a rematch is obviously out of the question.
It's understandable why Ireland is so upset, especially since soccer is the dominant sport in the region.
Missed calls are part of the game. That doesn't make them OK, but once the call has been made final, there's no reversal.
There are no redos or rematches on the basis of a bad call, no matter how big or how bad the call was.
A team can avoid a situation, as in the case of Ireland, by simply playing better.
The association has reacted in an entirely wrong fashion by trying to lobby to FIFA for a rematch, and should better represent their country by acting accordingly on the international stage.
To a number of countries, the World Cup carries a much larger significance than most people here in the United States are aware of.
In North Africa, four Algerian players were hurt upon their arrival in Egypt in a World Cup qualifier.
Most of us here would find that shocking because you usually don't see fans physically injuring opposing players. But that's how serious the sport is on the international stage.
The World Cup has a lot of conflict involved because there are countries in political crisis all over the globe competing in the worldwide event.
With the high level intensity that comes with the World Cup, FIFA and team officials need to act with integrity and maintain sportsmanship no matter the outcome.
Viewing Comments 1 - 5 of 6
Yvonne Devlin
posted 11/20/09 @ 2:16 PM CST
I've never heard such rot written in all my life. You are clearly so far removed from reality you don't know what you are talking about. How is it that it's the country that was wronged in the competition that ends up being being on the receiving end of your criticism. (Continued…)
Eoin Smith
posted 11/20/09 @ 2:33 PM CST
You clearly don't know anything about Ireland, Football, or what transpired in and around the game itself. Stick to American football or something, you're not qualified to write about this issue. (Continued…)
Will S
posted 11/20/09 @ 2:38 PM CST
If we Americans think of soccer as a lesser sport, then this is one reason why - when the game is obviously decided wrongly, most probably in accord with bias on the part of the ruling authority of the sport, then there is no recourse. (Continued…)
Declan
posted 11/21/09 @ 9:34 AM CST
I really feel rather quite upset after reading that nonsense. You're talking a load of tosh!
Paul
posted 11/21/09 @ 7:10 PM CST
Name a single sport around the world that does replay over missed calls.
The NFL doesn't.
The MLB doesn't (and there were many blown calls during the playoffs alone this year). (Continued…)
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