But to not qualify for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa because of a referee’s blown call would be even harder to stomach. It would be even more of a slap in the face — like canceling Christmas because of a clerical error by Bernie Madoff‘s accountant.
Yet a calamity of epic proportions took place on Wednesday as the Irish national team faced 1998 World Cup winner France in the second leg of a UEFA (European association) World Cup play-in series. The favored French side held a 1-0 lead entering Wednesday’s match in Saint Denis, but after missing out on the 2006 Cup in Germany, the Irish squad came to the outskirts of Paris ready to make amends.
After Ireland’s captain Robbie Keane scored in the 31st minute to knot the aggregate score at 1-1, the game opened up and both teams had their chances to take a lead. The Irish, in particular, squandered opportunity after opportunity as French netminder Hugo Lloris made two huge saves in each half.
Both sides, though, eventually hunkered down into defensive shells. The game went into extra time and France nearly earned a penalty kick when first-leg goal scorer Nicolas Anelka went down in the box under duress in the 98th minute, but the linesman ruled his effort unworthy of a whistle.
The mishap in question took place in the 103rd minute. France played a long-range free kick into the penalty area toward superstar striker Thierry Henry. The ball appeared to be beyond Henry’s reach.
And it was. Until he stopped the ball. Intentionally. With his left hand. Twice.
Henry realized that he couldn’t stretch to trap the ball legally with his feet, so he cunningly stuck out his left hand to deaden the bouncing ball, cupped it again with his hand to better position it and volleyed a low liner back in front of Ireland keeper Shay Given‘s goal. The perfect pass found the head of French teammate William Gallas, who deflected it into the net.
The Irish players protested vigorously. But neither Swedish referee Martin Hansson nor the linesman saw the handball.
Minutes later, the game was over. France had won 2-1 and will now advance to South Africa next summer.
Les Bleus celebrated. The Irish, as you can imagine, went rightfully out of their minds.
“We got robbed,” Ireland defender Sean St. Ledger told Sky Sports News afterward. “You can tell by the boys’ reaction it hit his hand blatantly. We feel cheated — we were the better team over the two legs, [and] every football fan in the stadium will say we were the better team tonight.”
How did Keane, the Irish goal scorer, feel about the loss?
“Devastated, to be honest with you. The way we played, we deserved to win the game, there’s no question about that,” Keane told the Associated Press. “We saw it [on the replay]. We knew anyway. When you see the reaction of Shay [Given], he’s two yards away from it. You don’t get a reaction like that [otherwise].
“[Henry] almost caught it and walked into the net with it,” Keane continued. “He’s an absolutely top player and has been for a long time, but it was a clear handball. He actually dragged it in from going out [of bounds]. I wouldn’t expect [an illegal move like that] from anybody.”
And Henry, a former star with British club Arsenal who’s currently at Barcelona, didn’t back down from the infraction.
“I will be honest, it was a handball. But I’m not the ref,” Henry said, instead putting the blame on Hansson. “I played it. The ref allowed it.”
“I’m not only disappointed tonight, I’m also very sad,” said Ireland coach Giovanni Trapattoni, who had to be restrained from Hansson by UEFA officials. “The referee should have asked Henry. I’m sure he would have admitted there was a handball.”
But it never happened.
Looking for a comparably frustrating sports call, New England fans?
Imagine the Celtics losing Game 7 of the NBA finals on a last-second layin by Kobe Bryant after he takes the ball at halfcourt and runs — without dribbling, mind you — to the hoop for the score. Two hours after you undergo root-canal surgery.
It would be like ex-umpire Don Denkinger missing a clear play at first base on which the Red Sox’ game-winning run would have scored. In Game 7 of the ALCS. Against the Yankees. On your birthday.
Picture referee Ed Hochuli prematurely blowing his whistle on a legit game-winning fumble return by the Patriots in the AFC championship game. Then he punches you in the stomach on his way off the field.
To be fair, I had no horse in Wednesday’s race. Sure, there’s something to be said for rooting for the underdog. But it’s more than that. With the utter unfairness of it all, especially in the wake of Ireland’s underdog status and the squad’s spirited play against a higher-powered opponent, I can’t help but feel sorry for the wronged men in green.
But the French will move on to South Africa, and the Irish will go home. Sadly.
“It’s cost a lot of us our dreams,” said St. Ledger. “As a boy, I used to dream of playing in the World Cup, and now I’m not.”
Of course, there’s not much that can be done at this point. Once the referee’s call is made — or not made — it’s over with. What can the victimized Irish do in response?
“We can keep our heads up,” Keane said. “As captain, I am very proud to be part of this team, I’m just gutted we didn’t make it to the end.”
