Controversial goal France vs Ireland. What is happening to the game of soccer?

It was an absurdly unfair goal. I was watching the game - supporting the Republic of Ireland, obviously - and I saw straight away that it was handball. To be fair, I think the referee and the linesman were unsighted by the defender and goalie respectively; also, I think the officials had a very good game... Apart from the one decision that sent France to the World Cup ahead of Ireland! This is the clearest possible signal that video replays should be introduced into professional football - if only for the big decisions. Outrageous.

it's really handsball made by Thierry Henry it's not only once, but twice france is become a bad team since coached by domenech and i really have no idea why france still keep him i hope france will have a very bad result in world cup 2010 next year

It was clear hand ball and I must say that the linesman really needs to be kicked on the backside for not catching it. It cost Ireland a spot in the World Cup and earned France a lucky ticket to South Africa. I think overall Ireland were the better team over the two legs. Naivety cost them the first match and the referee cost them the second match. Cheers! Ram

I'm not Ireland supporter... I think Henry was done unfair. Rematch is a good solving for this problem.

That's a football. The controversial always cover up.

I will not blame Henry for the act that he has done in the match against Ireland... it is the job of the referee and the linesman... and if anyone can do some act which even these people can point, well done... This is unfortunate for Ireland that this decision has come at this stage where this match has cost them the world cup ticket... the use of technology is not a good idea in soccer as it is a very fast paced game and using technology will reduce the pace and the entertainment quotient... Even players act to get a foul... so if that is fair, even this is...

stormragetz, I suppose this is what is making this game ever so interesting and unpredictable. Since the birth of this game, the conduct of all their international games have been dogged by controversies and yet the international ruling body FIFA is hesitant with progressing in the area of refereeing. I do agree with you that it is very sad to see Ireland going out like that and I just cannot help feeling the same disappointment when England was knocked out in the 1986 World Cup Quarter Finals by Argentina, who dealt England with that "Hand of God" goal by Maradona. Although, the French captain had admitted his handling of the ball, I cannot help but say that the referee's decision is final and that there will not be a re-match at all. I suppose there's nothing we can do to change the outcome of this match. I wonder when FIFA will be catching up with the electronic eye technology to be implemented into the game but I just hope it to be soon, since it is starting with catching "divers". Ireland is just a victim of circumstances today but let's hope all will be better for the future of the game. Have a nice day.

All these things are part and parcel of the game. the D-box too crwded for the referee to see. After all he also a human being. But i'm totally against use of replay. i takes out all the thrill of the game. it will become like cricket.

Clearly an act that is driven by the strong desire to win..