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London Irishmen are still fuming after last nights 'Hand de Gaulle' robbed the green army of a spot at the 2009 World Cup. Last night's result had the expatriates choking on their Guinness in the packed pubs of County Kilburn and Dalston. Republic's Justice Minister Dermot Ahern has told the Football Association of Ireland to file an official protest after France's scandalous victory in the winner takes all play-off. Ahern said: "If that result remains, it reinforces the view that if you cheat you will win. We should put the powers that be in the cozy world of FIFA on the spot and demand a replay." Dejected Irish manager Giovanni Trapattoni said things had to change for football to retain any "credibility" and "integrity." At a press conference in Dublin he said if the Swedish referee had asked Thierry Henry if he had handled the ball he would have confessed. He added: "It is not his (Henry's) job to own up. I know it is impossible to replay the game" Questions were also raised about seeding and the choice of referee.
FIFA - UEFA conspiracy?
Amazingly FIFA said they are not in a position to common on the decisions of officials. Fifa Fair Play Code states: "Play fair. Winning is without value if victory has been achieved unfairly or dishonestly. Cheating is easy, but brings no pleasure. Playing fair requires courage and character. It is also more satisfying. Fair play always has its reward, even when the game is lost. Playing fair earns respect, while cheating only brings shame. Remember: it is only a game. And games are pointless unless played fairly." While absolving Henry of any blame, Brady insisted that unfair pressure was put on Swedish referee Martin Hansson. Arsene Wenger, offered Sheffield United an FA Cup fifth round replay after Arsenal scored a contested winner in the first game in 1999. Brady said: "Arsene said that what happened wasn't right and we played the match again. So I'd ask Mr Blatter do you want to play last night's match again? Mr Blatter is on about fair play. But this was not fair play. We would go to Paris and play again. I don't think it would come to that, but we would be willing to go and play France again, in Paris, on their home ground, and have a fair winner.”" Brady also pointed out that FIFA had left themselves open to accusations of bias because France's kit sponsors are adidas and the sportswear company is also a FIFA partner' who will serve as official licensee and supplier of the World Cups in 2010 and 2014. Brady added: "I would maybe look at what happened, the fact that the seedings for the play-offs were made to favour the bigger teams like France and Portugal. I would ask why that went on. You've got Portugal with Ronaldo, the so-called best player in the world', you've got France sponsored by adidas. Football has got to take a look at itself." Irish skipper Robbie Keane said Blatter and his UEFA counterpart Michel Platini got the result they wanted and added: "They're all probably clapping hands, Platini sitting up there on the phone to Sepp Blatter, texting each other, delighted with the result.” Germany had a chance of being in the play-offs as well. With two massive countries there's no way in a million years was there going to be a fair draw."
French papers bashful
French newspapers were not exactly celebrating the result knowing that their path the greatest competition on earth is tainted. France's biggest-selling national newspaper, sports title "L'Equipe", also splashed the line "Main de Dieu" (Hand of God) on its front page. It wrote: "It is a miracle the French team had survived as long as it did in the game, with its child-like passes and the very average performances from its players," the newspaper said. "No game has been so eagerly anticipated and as monumentally ballsed-up as this one in a very long time." The French capital's daily Le Parisien called the result "a miracle" for a French side that had shown themselves "incredibly apathetic, incapable of cobbling together the barest semblance of football or to pull off two consecutive passes." The newspaper France Soir said victory for Les Bleus came: "...as a climax at the end of an unbearable game and thanks to a handball that will be the focus of debate for the days ahead.” A Facebook page entitled "We Irish hate Thierry Henry (the cheat)" also drew hundreds of comments - most unprintable - including a call for an Irish boycott on French goods. William Hill announced it will be refunding stake money to all punters who backed the Republic of Ireland to qualify.
Salt in the wounds - Henry admitted to ref AFTER final whistle
Henry admitted he did handle the ball and told the Swedish referee AFTER the game. He said: "It was a handball, but I'm not the ref. I told him but he said to me the same: You are not the ref'." Ireland left-back Kevin Kilbane was disgusted by Henry and said: "I asked him (Henry) on the pitch, Did you handball it?' and he said yes, but I didn't mean it'. He said it just hit him and that was it. Yes, he is (lying). I have seen the replay." Photo shoppers were quick to stick it to the French, click photos for some of the 'fit ups'
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