Ireland has demanded that its match against France should be played again as the French team won it unfairly. Irish fans have said that the Thierry Henry's act of handling the ball was clear cheating as such the match should be played again.
AFTER BEING unfairly pushed out of the next football world cup finals due to a suspect goal by French footballer Thierry Henry, the Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen has asked FIFA, the world football governing body to order a rematch.
Cowen also said that he would take up the matter with French President Nicolas Sarkozy, while fully backing the Football Association of Ireland’s call for a re-match. He said that the Irish sports minister will write to FIFA and lodge a complaint. It is pertinent to note that video replays of the qualifying match between France and Ireland showed Thierry Henry using his hand to set up a move that led to a crucial goal by William Gallas, which also paved the way for the French team to reach the world cup finals to be held in South Africa.
Meanwhile, there is huge public outrage against the French Footballer, who admitted later that he had handled the ball. Millions of television viewers and fans, who were watching the match expressed shock over the goal, which is being compared to Maradona’s hand of God goal against England in 1986.. From top Irish leaders to the football fans on the street, there is only one demand that the result of the math should be annulled and this game should be played again. A Facebook page with the title ‘We Irish hate Thierry Henry (The cheat)’ had thousands of registered followers ranting against the French footballer.
