God's hand in France win

Whatever we saw, read and heard about French captain Thierry Henry's hand ball in yesterday's World Cup qualifier against Ireland, makes us believe that history repeated itself.

Last time, England was at the receiving end of Argentine striker Diego Maradona in a 1986 World Cup quarter-final match, the goal was then termed as 'hand of God' goal. This time Ireland faced the ire, when former Arsenal star Henry, was seen slapping the ball with his hand to stop it going out of play. But his next similar attempt few minutes later put the nails on Irish's head.

It helped in setting up the perfect cross-ball to defender William Gallas, who headed it for an equalizer after the regular ninety minutes play. That goal sealed France's place for the next Football World Cup in South Africa.

Though, Henry accepted that he touched the ball with his hand, it could not deter Irish supporters for shouting 'Le Cheat' against him. Henry declined to apologise after the match for his misadventure and blamed the Swedish referee for that.

Ireland skipper Robbie Keane blasted FIFA officials after the match and said, ''Since both FIFA chief Sap Blatter and UEFA president Michel Platini are French, they would be texting each other, delighted with result.''

The livid Irish Football Association (IFA) asked FIFA to look into the matter and also requested for a replay of the same match, which was turned down today. It would be pertinent now to ask whatever done by French striker was in the true spirit of the game? But I also want to put the counter question here, had the same thing been done by Robbie Keane—Irish captain and star player—would IFA reacted in the same manner? Would their supporters term their captain as 'cheater'? I really do not think so.

The stake to book their side's place in the football's biggest carnival was so high that, any player and every team would have done and reacted in the manner like both Ireland and France did after the match.

But then what is the use of technology? Millions of fans around the globe watched Henry touching the ball. It was further cleared by subsequent replays. If things are so clear then what problem does FIFA have in reorganizing the match? It would give both teams a fair opportunity to prove their point. And the matter would be resolved peacefully.

But FIFA could not do that for a simple reason. All the players playing for their national sides also play for different clubs around the world, and some of them for the most reputed ones. Henry, himself plays for Spanish giants FC Barcelona while Robbie Keane also leads English Premier League side Tottenham Hotspurs.

This was the period decided mutually by FIFA, UEFA and other governing bodies of various club competitions. Holding the match again would be a tedious job if not virtually impossible, as availability of players would always be in doubt.

These players have a contract with different clubs which spend millions of dollars on them. So, going against the contract ,neither would be feasible, nor desired by these players. Football scheduling is so compact that there is hardly any space to breathe.

Club matches include domestic leagues, Champions League, UEFA cup, then there are International friendly games, World Cup qualifiers (though they have finished now) and so on and so forth. And how can we forget sponsors? These are the players who organize these competitions. So how can a match be replayed? No one would give it a ‘serious thought’, that is for sure.

The best thing we could do is to sit and write an article to make this controversial event memorable, just like what happened 23 years ago.