The French should just be removed from the World Cup for all eternity.

In the 2006 FIFA World Cup Final that had France playing against Italy, Zinedine Zidane famously head butted Marco Materazzi, leading to Zidane being ejected from the game.  The Italians went on to win the tournament, but many people questioned what was going on with the French even at that point.

Yesterday France was playing against Ireland with the winner going to the World Cup in South Africa next year.  The match was tied 1-to-1 and went into overtime.  In the 103rd minute of the match, William Gallas of France kicked in a goal to make it 2-to-1, sending France to South Africa, and Ireland would be staying home.

Yay for France … right?

Wrong.

Before the ball went to Gallas, the ball came within range of Thierry Henry, and as the ball was about to pass out of bounds, he put up his left hand and batted the ball back into play.  For those of you unfamiliar with soccer (football to the rest of the world), the only member of either team ever allowed to use their hands are the goal keepers, no other player on the field is ever allowed to use their hands under any circumstances.

Apparently the referees did not see the handball, and the goal was called as good.  Ireland immediately lodged a protest, and there have been calls for FIFA to replay the game, but thus far FIFA has not said one way or the other.  To his credit, Henry has admitted the handball, but has also said since the referees did not call it, what was to be done.

Even French sports teachers are crying foul over the handball, saying that this sets a bad example for young athletes everywhere that all that matters is winning.

It doesn’t matter that Henry has admitted the ball, he says it stands.  FIFA is sitting on their thumbs and in the meantime the world cries in outrage over such a flagrant violation of the rules.  There is no more basic rule of soccer than “no hands”, and when you are playing on the world stage, you should know it.

Of course, the refs also failed here and claim they didn’t see it.  To be honest, as crowded as the area was (video below), I tend to believe them.  This whole issue raises again the big issue as to why FIFA does not currently have video replays, and the subject has now come up again over this play.  Somehow I doubt it will happen, but you never know.

For now, FIFA, do the right thing, replay the match.