Football forever

[Hennybhoy]

Now the FIFA and the FFF have the chance to show that they mean what they are praying: FAIR PLAY!

But sadly it seems that nothing will happen........

[Niall]

One thing I still don't get is the outrage towards Henry. Except for maybe "gentlemen" games like golf or tennis, there is always an element of trying to push the limits of what you can get away with. I played ice hockey for many years, mostly on defense, if I was beat on a play, I may
try a subtle hook or my favorite a poke check at the skates that was really tripping. It was a risk/reward thing-if I get away with it, maybe I
stop a good scoring chance if not, I hurt my team by going to the penalty box or risking a penalty shot. Also another thing with regard to any sort
of game preparation is knowing the referee's tendencies, does he call a tight game, or does he have a tendency to let things go.

I mean if Henry lets the ball go, it goes out of bounds. If he uses his hand and gets away with it, well... But if he gets caught what happens?
Ball is turned over? Big Deal.

henry chested and ireland arent in the world cup because of it. That is why people are pissed off at him. pushing the bounds of what you can get away with? Pure and simple, he cheated

[Niall]

from Thierry Henry, November 20

"I have said at the time and I will say again that yes I handled the ball. I am not a cheat and never have been.

"It was an instinctive reaction to a ball that was coming extremely fast in a crowded penalty area.

"As a footballer you do not have the luxury of the television to slow the pace of the ball down 100 times to be able to make a conscious decision.

"People are viewing a slow motion version of what happened and not what I or any other footballer faces in the game.

"If people look at it in full speed you will see that it was an instinctive reaction.

"It is impossible to be anything other than that. I have never denied that the ball was controlled with my hand. I told the Irish players, the referee and the media this after the game.

"Naturally I feel embarrassed at the way that we won and feel extremely sorry for the Irish who definitely deserve to be in South Africa.

"Of course the fairest solution would be to replay the game but it is not in my control.

"There is little more I can do apart from admit that the ball had contact with my hand leading up to our equalising goal and I feel very sorry for the Irish."

first up it is not an instinctive reacction for an outfield soccer player to hand the ball. Unless, france are playing in the world cup final, losing one nil to brazil, henry hits a shot, it beats the keeper but up pops kaka and knocks the ball away with his hand, ref does not give a penalty. How would hnery react to that?
Secondly, maybe and just maybe, the first handball was instinctive. How does he explain the second one where he has clearly played it onto his foot?

[philipchevron]

LES FRANCAIS heard from -:

--------------------------------------------------

French hand-wringing over dubious win

By Henri Astier
BBC News


For a nation not particularly known for its moral qualms - it once hailed a head-butting footballer as a hero - the French feel surprisingly chastened about their questionable qualification for next year's World Cup.

Reactions to Thierry Henry's handball, which led to the goal that sent the national team to the South African finals at the expense of the hapless Irish, have ranged from embarrassment to outrage.

The incident in Wednesday's game has been commented on in newspapers, on websites, and in cafes up and down France.

It has even become an affair of state, with politicians weighing in. President Nicolas Sarkozy felt obliged to tell Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen that he felt sorry for his people.

In an online poll for Le Monde, almost two-thirds of respondents agreed that the handball "discredits France's qualification".

Le Parisien newspaper summarised the national mood: "The handball of Henry has brought a decisive contribution to the theme 'being French is being ashamed of one's national team'."

In the leading sports newspaper L'Equipe, former France international Emmanuel Petit wrote that there was "nothing glorious" about the outcome, and that France should keep a "low profile".

National crisis

Former Manchester United hero Eric Cantona was even more outspoken in his indictment.

"What shocked me most was that at the end of the match, in front of the television cameras, this player [Henry] went and sat down next to an Irish player to console him," Cantona thundered.

"If I'd been Irish, he wouldn't have remained on the field for three seconds."

Cantona also launched a stinging attack on national manager Raymond Domenech, calling him "the worst coach in French football since Louis XVI".

Historical analogies have been wielded by several commentators.

Jacques Attali, a former aide to the late President Francois Mitterrand, wrote on a website: "We are all Irish" - echoing a famous 2001 headline in Le Monde expressing solidarity with 9/11 victims: "We are all Americans".

One minister spoke of "cowardly relief" following the dubious qualification - a phrase used after the 1938 Munich agreement signed by Hitler and Western allies.


The crisis is reverberating across France's political spectrum.

Philippe de Villiers, who leads the conservative Movement for France, called on Mr Domenech to issue a "public apology" to the Irish.

And Green leader Daniel Cohn-Bendit said: "You had to have a pretty strong stomach to support France after a game like that."

"In an ideal world the game should be replayed," rued centrist leader Francois Bayrou. "But the world is not yet ideal."

Of course, Henry and his teammates have their defenders.

The French version of the online magazine Slate argues that those wallowing in the current "masochistic" guilt-fest are displaying "their ignorance of football".

No doubt many fans also feel the remorse is overdone, and in due course Gallic pride will surge again.

But for moment, the French cockerel is not crowing very loud.

[soulfinger]

Secondly, maybe and just maybe, the first handball was instinctive. How does he explain the second one where he has clearly played it onto his foot?

Instinctive? Bollocks! He caught it, autographed it and threw it.

[soulfinger]

Cantona also launched a stinging attack on national manager Raymond Domenech, calling him "the worst coach in French football since Louis XVI".

Good point that, Louis-Auguste lost his head too easily to be a top coach.

[firehazard]

Cantona also launched a stinging attack on national manager Raymond Domenech, calling him "the worst coach in French football since Louis XVI".

Good point that, Louis-Auguste lost his head too easily to be a top coach.

First, and quite probably best, laugh of the week. Cost me half a cup of coffee.

[Mark_Wafc]

I dont want to talk about football for a while.

[firehazard]

I dont want to talk about football for a while.

That Wigan goal was the result of a clear handball. Perhaps there should be a replay?

[Mark_Wafc]

Yes, i'm thinking along those lines.

Its only fair after all, handball is handball.

[soulfinger]

Rafa must stay!

[philofbelloni]

I've been away from the forum for awhile. Greetings to everyone.
The France/Ireland match stirred me to return, albeit a week late... so FUCK FRANCE!!!

[Hennybhoy]

Charlize Theron draws “Ireland” at World Cup draw rehearsal instead of France

Cape Town - Oscar-award-winning South African actress Charlize Theron put up another good performance when she pulled “Ireland” during a rehearsal for the World Cup draw on Friday, it emerged Wednesday.

The actress was pulling FIFA’s leg over Ireland’s failed bid to become the 33rd team at the 32-nation Cup.

Theron, who will co-host Friday’s draw with FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke, pulled the “Ireland” ball out of the bowl instead of France.

“Yes, she did, but it was only a joke,” Valcke confirmed to the Deutsche Presse-Agentur (DPA).

Friday’s draw will determine which teams will meet each other in the first round of the World Cup.



ERIN GO BRAGH

[Jackson Frank]

Taxi for SEPP BLATTER,destination?The nearest cliff-edge,do we all agree?Peace man......

[Toby]

Mr C,
What are the MIGHTY REDS on????

The manager keeps maintaining that 'its too early for them to consider promotion' - is this the greatest bluff calling ever?

Toby