Government backs FAI demands for match replay

FURY over Thierry Henry’s handball has escalated into an international incident as the Government backed FAI demands for a replay of the match.

The move came as Fine Gael branded FIFA a “deeply suspect” organisation and insisted the matter be raised at ministerial level with Paris.

The French player’s double-touch cheating which forced Ireland out of next year’s World Cup finals dominated Dáil proceedings as TDs voiced national outrage at the blatant rule breaking.

Justice Minister Dermot Ahern admitted FIFA was unlikely to concede to Irish demands, but said a line had to be drawn. “It’s the least we owe the thousands of devastated young fans around the country. Otherwise, if that result remains, it reinforces the view that if you cheat, you will win,” he said.

Fine Gael urged the Government to raise the matter with the French at Foreign Minister level and demanded anurgent meeting of EU sports ministers to ensure there is no repeat of the situation in the European championship qualifiers next year by forcing FIFA to adopt video refereeing.

Frontbench spokesman Alan Shatter, standing in for party leader Enda Kenny, was scathing about FIFA.

“This is a deeply suspect organisation in the manner in which it does business and it is time for the European regulation of football,” he told TDs.

Labour leader Eamon Gilmore praised the fighting spirit and dignity of the Irish team, but derided the match referee who ignored their protests over the handball.

“The referee, Martin Hansson, might have a future as a banking regulator, turning the blind eye and deaf ear to complaints. He has many of the qualities we have seen in banking regulation in this country over the number of years,” he said.

Sports Minister Martin Cullen wrote to FIFA urging a replay, citing their stated commitment to fair play.

Henry admits he handled the ball before squaring it to William Gallas who headed it into the goal in extra-time for a 2-1 aggregate victory.

The FAI formally complained to FIFA insisting on a replay.

“Conclusive video evidence of a deliberate hand ball by Thierry Henry, which led to France’s additional time goal, has been seen by millions worldwide.

“The blatantly incorrect decision by the referee to award the goal has damaged the integrity of the sport and we now call on FIFA, as the world governing body for our sport, to organise for this match to be replayed,” the FAI said.

Though chances of FIFA sanctioning a replay remain slight, soccer’s international governing body did order a rematch in the qualifying campaign for the 2006 finals when Uzbekistan’s clash with Bahrain was replayed after Japanese referee Toshimitsu Yoshida made a technical error.