Warning - sport related thread

[matt]

Wow.

Anyone see that shocking goal which knocked the Irish out of the World Cup in South Africa next year?

I'm gutted for them....and I'm not even Irish!!!

Thierry Henry (French striker) cleary handled the ball...twice...before laying on the cross which Gallas headed in.

As an Australian who saw cheats (Italy) prevail at the last world cup, and knock Australia out into the bargain, and felt the pain for many days afterward, I'd like to issue an unreserved apology to all our Irish friends for the manner in which their World Cup dream has come to an end.

I know it's only sport...but it should still be 'sporting'.

Sorry guys. We share your pain:( You were robbed.

[supernova1965]

You just have to look at the goal a few weeks ago off the Beach Ball to know that the Umpiring has a lot to be fixed up and soon.:eyepop:

[JethroB76]

The beachball cost liverpool which meant it was ok :lol::thumbsup:

[DeanoNZL]

It makes Diego Maradona's one in 86 look almost acceptable!:lol:
He only handled it once.

[dpastern]

In the end, I really think it comes down to sportsmanlike behaviour from the sports people themselves. When I played grade squash, I'd concede a point with honesty and integrity - I'd rather win by fair and square any day than by cheating. There is no honour in cheating.

Dave

[TrevorW]

Sport I thought that was in the

religion, race, politics category

[mithrandir]

When national pride, millions of dollars in prize money, contracts and endorsements are at stake, honesty goes out the window.

Sad but apparently true.

[Ric]

Looks like it could be time for video refs and no goal is approved until it's checked from three different angles.

[matt]

Hi Ric...

Generally, I'm not one for the video ref. It bugs the living daylights out of me that almost everything gets bumped up to the video ref in rugby league these days.

But I think FIFA has to have a long and hard think about such a facility, even if it is used very....very rarely.

When an entire four-year campaign can come down to such a critical moment, I think it would be fair to seek a second opinion.

It's especially pertinent in football (soccer) where a single goal often determines an entire result of 90+ minutes of play.

Let the referee 'go upstairs' to determine 100% if something's a yes or no. I'd also like to see it used in penalty decisions, to determine whether a player has taken a 'dive'. But not every time. Just in key moments of key games.

I'm still enough of a purist to say let the ref make the decisions. They are part of the game and add to the drama of it all. But just give them that little aid to make sure a blunder such as this has less likelihood of occurring.

Just my 2c worth:)

[Ric]

I agree Matt, If a goal is obvious like a cracking shot from outside the box then there is probably no need, the linesmen can determine if it was offside and the rest.

It's just those touchy decisions when you have 10 men in the box and the ball is all over the place.

I wonder if the FIFA will crack down on the dives this time around at the cup, they promise it every time but it never seems to happen.