FIFA Denies Rep. of Ireland

Just like Giovanni Trappatoni foresaw, FIFA has denied the Republic of Ireland's request for a rematch with France after Thierry Henry handled a pass that led to a goal by William Gallas.

FIFA released this statement concerning the refusal:

"FIFA has today, 20 November 2009, replied to the request of the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) to replay the 2010 FIFA World Cup play-off match held on 18 November 2009 between France and the Republic of Ireland in Paris.

In the response, FIFA states that the result of the match cannot be changed and the match cannot be replayed. As is clearly mentioned in the Laws of the Game, during matches, decisions are taken by the referee and those decisions are final."

So even though there's video footage of the handball and Henry admitted to handling the ball before crossing it to Gallas for the goal, FIFA still won't allow a rematch because the referees, Martin Hansson and his sideline assistants, didn't see the handball.

A lot of the soccer world, Arsenal manager (and Frenchman) Arsene Wegner included, are saying that France should be embarrassed with how the qualified, relying on a cheap last-minute goal to get them through to South Africa next summer.

"For the sense of justice it is quite embarrassing to see," he (Wegner) said. "I think even France is embarrassed. We didn't play well at all and we won the game and won the qualification with a goal that was not a goal."

I absolutely believe Henry and all of the French national team should feel some embarrassment in regards to this game. I lost a huge amount of respect for Henry after that handball.

I know sometimes handballs happen- some are unavoidable and unintentional. However, if you watch the footage you can see Henry physically reach for the ball with his left hand before passing it off to Gallas. Henry always struck me as a classier player than that (despite being a cry-baby when he first moved to Barcelona) and I didn't expect this from him.

My hope is that France is eliminated as quickly as possible next summer to hit the point home that they do not belong there because God knows if they go all the way they won't deserve it.