Published: November 23, 2009 09:34 am      

Direct Kick: Oh man, Ireland got the shaft

Shades of 1986. Once again, a handball controversy swirls around soccer. Only this time, it’s not Diego Maradona, but France’s Thierry Henry, who committed the offense, and all of Ireland are up in arms.

Ah, the luck of the Irish.

Last week, France met Ireland in a match where the winner would qualify for next year’s World Cup. The match, tied 1-1 in extra time, saw a long ball played to Henry to the far post. The ball bounced on the ground in front of Henry, and he reached his hand out, knocking the ball down before passing it to William Gallas, who scored what would be the winning goal, advancing Les Bleus and sending the Irish home once again.

Back in 1986, during the World Cup, Maradona, playing for Argentina, handed the ball into the goal, knocking England out of the event. That play has since been dubbed “The Hand of God” goal.

In the France-Ireland match, the center official looked to be screened, and probably didn’t see the infraction. But from the replays, I don’t see how the linesman missed the call. But he did. Ireland filed an appeal the FIFA, wanting the match replayed. Henry, France’s captain, admitted he played the ball with his hand, and has even stated that Ireland “definitely deserved” to qualify, and has said a replay would be the only fair thing.

But FIFA ruled that there wouldn’t be a replay, that the game stands as is, much to the dismay of Ireland supporters.

Which brings up the question of instant replay in soccer.

With today’s technology, I don’t understand why all sports don’t use instant replay.

Yes, sometimes replay officials take way too long to make up their minds. But, as a fan, I want the right call made, just like players and coaches do.

Some people might argue that players and coaches make mistakes in games, so why can’t officials? A fair statement. Everyone’s not perfect, and mistakes will be made.

But when you have the technology to reverse those decisions, when the outcome of a crucial contest hangs on the right call being made, why wouldn’t you use instant replay. With several cameras capturing the action, in high definition, no less, from multiple angles, fans can see whether or not an official blew a call. And a correction must be made.

We’ve seen that it works in football and basketball. Fouls, of course, should still be left to the discretion of the official. But, in soccer’s case, goals, offsides and handballs could be controlled by the use of an instant replay official. I’ve seen many games where the ball crossed the goal line, only to be ruled not a goal, because it was cleared away before the linesman was in the right position to make the call. Same with offsides. Use an official stationed in the press box with a view of the field. Equip the on-field officials with an ear piece where they can communicate with each other. The official in the press box has a better view of the entire field of play, and could help linesmen on the offsides rule.

I feel bad for Ireland. I hope this doesn’t start a war between the two countries. Don’t laugh; it could happen. But don’t blame Henry, or the officials. Blame FIFA for stepping into the 21st century.

Denis House can be reached at sports@sentinel-echo.com