THE PROSPECT of the Republic of Ireland’s World Cup play-off against France being replayed was more remote than ever last night, despite French captain Thierry Henry conceding it would be the fairest way to settle his team’s disputed win.
As intense debate continued across the soccer world yesterday over Henry’s double-handball in the build-up to the late goal at the Stade de France, the player said a rematch would be “the fairest solution”.
“Naturally I feel embarrassed at the way that we won and feel extremely sorry for the Irish who definitely deserve to be in South Africa,” he said.
Henry’s “courage and honour” in making the statement was welcomed by Irish captain Robbie Keane, who appealed to the French Football Federation (FFF) to “accept the wishes of both captains” and reschedule the match. With Fifa, the sport’s governing body, having already rejected that idea, it would now take a gesture from the French federation for the game to be replayed.
However, Fifa’s statement was followed by an emphatic declaration from the French body that the matter was over. “Fifa is the ruler of the game and we have to abide by what they say,” a spokesman said.
“What they decide we have to do and they have ruled it will not be replayed. So we should move on.” This was confirmed in an official statement last night.
France has been gripped since Wednesday by a bout of anguished soul-searching that has relegated everything but l'affaire Henryto the sidelines. Finance minister Christine Lagarde yesterday went further than her colleagues by saying she was "very sad to have qualified by cheating. I think that in such circumstances it would be good to decide to have the match replayed."
Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger forcefully defended Henry but also urged the FFF to offer to replay the match, while the French grandson of World Cup founder Jules Rimet, Yves Rimet, said the “ethics of sport were flouted” by Henry’s act.
In the same vein, Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin said the outcome of the tie was a “stain” on the World Cup and suggested the controversy “will not go away” unless the French federation relented.
However, a bristling Roy Keane dismissed the handball furore and sharply criticised the FAI.“They can complain all they want. It’s not going to change. France are going to the World Cup. Get over it.”