http://www.thecorknews.ie/?q=content/ne-célèbre-pas-we-are-not-celebrating
Headlines in the French press on Thursday said much. ‘Thierry Henry did not seek to clear himself’ ‘Disgusted, but dignified’ (Irish reaction), but ultimately ‘France have the ticket in their hand’. The ‘Hand of Henry’ controversy will surely continue to rage for several days – nearly 30,000 were already signed up to the ‘We Irish hate Thierry Henry’ Facebook group within 12 hours of the incident – as well as various petitions to have the game replayed.
Soccer and FIFA do not work like that, however, and Ireland captain Robbie Keane was probably not far off the mark when he told journalists that FIFA simply do not seem to want Ireland in South Africa (at least instead of France). The Cork News caught up with French football journalist Laurent Picard to gage reaction among football supporters en France.
"What a poor night. Even if we shine in the finals next summer, a bitter taste will remain in our mouths, as dirty wins are not part of our repertoire - usually. On Wednesday, it was impossible for Les Bleus’ supporters to celebrate France’s qualification for the next World Cup, after the way we drew with Ireland. Our stars, who all play for the likes of Arsenal, Manchester United, Barcelona and other big clubs, looked pathetic on the pitch, especially in the first half (what happened to Lassana Diarra?), and bagged their ticket for South Africa thanks to a goal that should have been disallowed for an obvious handball.
I must confess I have always been a massive admirer of Thierry Henry – who is a basketball fan and showed it with his Magic Johnson-like pass – ever since his Monaco years and his rise to the top of world football. But our captain damaged his reputation in the space of a second, and made us look like cheaters. “Yes, it was handball,” he said after the game. Well, tell the referee straight away, Titi.
We French people always like to have a good moan, we do like wine and bread, and we go on strike very often, but we are no cheaters. Believe me, nobody is celebrating in my homeland. As far as I am concerned, my head was down on my way back home.
Of course, it would have been worse if we had lost. Many of us are ashamed, not only of Henry’s “pass”, but also of the Stade de France spectators’ horror show. You do not have the right to boo your own team at half time when a World Cup qualification is in balance. But, and I hate to say it, most of French people like football as a hobby. The passion surrounding this game in my country cannot be compared to the way people experience football in Ireland. I must confess that I am jealous of your commitment to your team, passion, support, and dignity.
I know it is no consolation, but there will be a green part in our hearts next summer, as Ireland deserve, as much as France, to be in the finals. Giovanni Trapattoni’s team is not only made of fighters, but also of talented footballers who can be proud of what they showed.
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