A disgusting sport.

In a court of law, if evidence is found that could change the outcome of a verdict it is generally listened to, adjudged, and then a suitable conclusion is made accordingly. Right, so with this basic grasp of judicial practice in mind, why are such processes, vital to decision making, not replicated more so in everyday life? In this instance, it would appear that football is the culprit of a crime...

I am not a obsessive football fan, nor am I any percent Irish, but I was disgusted and appalled at how the Republic of Ireland were left helpless last night, to crash out from their opportunity (a rare one at that for Ireland) to participate in the World Cup finals next June.

The story. 1-0 down from the first leg, Ireland at least needed a goal to stay in the tie away from home at the Stade de France, Paris. This was always going to be difficult. However, Robbie Keane got said needed goal after about half and hour. Ireland looked dominant within themselves on the pitch, and agonizingly pushed for a second goal during normal time, whilst France (with there abundance of megastars i.e. Benzema on the bench) offered up nothing creative.

So, with 90 minutes up, the tie headed for extra-time, with a somewhat expected conclusion to be drawn from the penalty spot 30 minutes later. Not if Thierry Henry had anything to say about it. I mean this is a player who has been about the game influentially for a good decade, always in my mind, as a prolific and honest striker. His skill alone has tormented defenders and goalkeepers alike, and has meant that he has played for important teams in both England and Spain. You could say he is an ideal ambassador for the game...

Well, this reputation, for me, has been left in tatters (which I no Mr. Henry will not give any sort of a dam about). He worked within his gamesmanship means to help blatantly cheat France to the World Cup by handling the ball, keeping it in play, from which he cut back to Gallas to head into an empty net! Outrage! I hear you cry...

Yes, it truly was outrageous. You could say Ireland should've done more, but they were robbed. With no consultation of the linesman, the referee asserted the legitimacy of the goal, which ultimately condemned Ireland to a highly undeserved loss. Two post match comments read like this:

Dunne (Irish defender) said: "Henry admitted afterwards he handled it, but it doesn't make me feel any better. We were cheated."

Henry: "I will be honest it was a handball, but I'm not the referee."

From a personal point of view I am thinking this:

1) If Thierry Henry has made this admission straight after the game, then why did he do it in the first place?

2) Seriously, why are there not replays offered if there is a suspicion that something has been allowed to take place illegally?

3) Why were Shay Given and Damien Duff penalised when protesting their point that they had blatantly been cheated?

4) What sort of an example does this set to anyone who looks up to Henry as a honest professional player?

5) And ultimately, why is the result allowed to stand?

Unsurprisingly, the Irish manager, Trapattoni, maintained that it was sickening to not qualify for the World Cup in such a bizarre and unjust manner: "We are angry. It is a bitter evening for me".

But, for me, I think that the wider disappointment of the manor in which the winning goal was scored infects fairness. "I am upset for fair play. We talk many times about fair play, I go to schools and talk to young children about the importance of fair play, and this happens" said Trapattoni. Truly baffling and simply unfair!

Enjoy.