Le Foot Pas Les Mains

It’s hard not to be disgusted after last night’s World Cup qualifying match between France and Ireland. For the second consecutive match, the Irish team was the better on the field but came up short. Yet, in a world where cheating is rewarded, it only makes sense that Thierry Henry’s blatant handball will be justified until it is forgotten.

I have been on the winning side of cheating. In the 2002-03 Western Conference Finals my Lakers beat the Sacramento Kings in what is now being described as a big fix. The more talented and tenacious Kings were robbed blind by the league and referees to make room for the star studded Lakers in the finals. I, like the Kings, feel cheated.I find myself caring less and less about the "spectacle" of professional sports.

Let us not be too surprised by this latest event. Even when the truth is seen, simultaneously by millions of viewers and spectators, its clear that no one will come forward to rectify the situation. Did any of the big corporations and banks come forward after the collapse and say “Oops, my bad sorry, here’s your money back” or “No thanks, we don’t deserve bailout money cause we lied, cheated and stole”? Hell no! So don't expect Thierry Henry or his conspirators to come forward either. Should we blame them? If they really believe in the simple "referee error" theory, no we can't blame them. But Mr. Henry clearly and deliberately broke the rules and should at the very least, own up to it.

If a sport is a metaphor for life, then last night’s disgraceful qualifying match is an accurate description of the reality of our existence in the society we have created and perpetuate. Hard work, honesty and tenacity DON’T payoff. Especially when profit is of utmost importance for sports and its governing bodies.

Ireland’s “loss” also seems like a reminder to us in the lower echelon to remember our place. When and if we make it to the big stage and get a chance to play with the ‘big dogs’ understand that the playing field will not be even and that revenue, power and interest will also be playing against us.

If Thierry Henry and his teammates were real men and had respect for the game of Football and sport in general, they would come forward and admit to the infraction and, at the very least, accept a rematch with Ireland. But don’t expect that. Much of today’s news gives the French media and their supporters far too much credit by stating that they are ashamed. That is extremely false. They are ecstatic about qualifying and when pressed about the legitimacy of their victory – they point to Maradona’s ’86 goal in a world cup quarter final.

I’m sorry, using that incident to justify the result of last night’s match is clearly a crime against reason. To even go so far are to try and end the issue by claiming it was a "fault d'arbitrage" (referee error) still doesn't cut it. Yet, there nothing we can do or that will be done about it. France will go on to South Africa while the Irish players will be left with the "what if" idea that will most likely haunt them for some time.

© bflo12, 2009