Sorry, but as a neutrals point of view I would rather have France qualify... the likes of Ribery, Anelka etc missing the world cup sounds awful... though the way they went through was a shame.

Ireland completely outplayed France in the 1st 90 minutes tonight. If you would rather a team who cheats their way through a match go through thats ok, but I don't think it would go down so well if they put England out in the same manner.

Gutted for Ireland ... they played out of their skins tonight ... the French goal was clear handball and I can't believe none of the officials saw it ...

If only they had shown the same fighting spirit in Croke Park last Saturday ...

It was the 'hand of henry' alright cheaters! memories of maradonna

When I watch the world-cup...I wanna watch world-class players. I would rather see Franck Ribery than Stephen hunt If england went out the same way, wouldnt really bother me...  didnt bother me when we failed to qualify for the euros either. Internationals are just a bonus for me... I prefer club football, much more important.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/...e-cheat/215531572576

You are entitled to your opinion Mr M&P Pie. I just don't agree with it.

He also did an earlier dive worthy of a world class swimmer earlier in the game looking for a penalty ... Luckily the ref was actually watching the game for that incident ... Maybe he should take up swimming ... he can use his arms all he likes then ...

haaa Shar too right i didn't watch the whole game my b/fs irish he couldn't bear to watch the last 15 minutes

its a real shame

 I can't really go along with that... I mean... for example, the prospect of Argentina and Portugal missing out filled me with joy...

To be honest I'd much rather see some different countries get in rather than the same old, same old...

I know how he feels shizzle ...

Still, at least they went out fighting ...

 Also, would this be the same Anelka who dived for a penalty?

Are you for REAL  What kind of person thinks that cheating is fine!!!!!!!!!!Would you be saying the same if it was England. It was disgraceful playing and if you love football so much you would admit that. Unbelievable. Henry is a filthy cheat. End OF

It looked as though there was contact in there... though not much, hard to call a dive. But yes that Anelka... far better than Kevin Doyle.

At least Kevin Doyle can walk of of the French Stadium with his head held high.

Did you even bother to read my post? I said I would rather see France in the world-cup, I never said cheating was fine... I been there plenty of times to see my club robbed. As for England, like I said before... its just a bonus, the only reason I watch them is because we have city players in there, if England went out...on a positive its still good because we will pick up no long term injuries

Hardly... they didnt qualify. Sorry you didnt win, would of liked to see ROI in there, but hard to choose between franceand ROI

As for Stephen Ireland... I bet hes sat at home laughing away

Yes I certainly did and still find it unbelievable,  but hey thats just cause I'm pig sick that a cheat scuppered Irelands chances to go to SA. Your entitled to be happy they went through so you don't have to watch the Irish players but I find that heartless.

Im not exactly jumping up and down that they got through... heartless??? Because I rather watch France?

I agree ... it's difficult to wish a team well who cheated their way through ... they'll need plenty of luck ... even their own fans hate them ...

Yes Heartless because France got through by cheating. Where is the fairness in that.

It happens nearly every week in the EPL, nothing new. Im not heartless because im not bothered Ireland didnt get through... though I do feel sorry for Shay and the Dunney monster.

I think any argument that the World Cup would miss having a team of France's calibre in it is automatically nullified by the following:
They had to be helped by a sudden, late rule change seeding the clubs for the play-offs.
They couldn't even win that without cheating.

France are not the team they were, and if Ribery, Anelka etc are so great, they ought to have wrapped up qualification ages ago.

Ireland were robbed.

Mr Meat and Potato Pie I am disgusted by you comments. If France are such a great team how come theuy couldn't qualify 1st in their group? How come FIFA had to rig it for them to get an 'easy' draw, how come they cheated their way to to the World Cup Finals?

France cannot go to SA with any shred of dignity of credibility? Also, if France really are the better team how come Ireland outplay them over the 2 legs?

TBF all teams and players cheat every Saturday. They are encouraged to do so by their managers and coaching staff. It never affects their dignity or credibility.

crossy, this was the difference between going to the world cup or not a lot different than dropping three points in the league.

I'd rather see a team who deserve to be there than a bunch of cheats!

It's amazing how 'understanding' folk can be when it's not their team.  1986 Hand of God Maradona is still being beatin into us!

It's also quite interesting that France are seeded and yet the third best team in the world, Holland are in pot 2.

http://www.gopetition.com/peti...ignatures-page3.html

Disgusted Am I saying murder is ok??? Its football... disgraceful refereeing decision, but I rather see France play at the world-cup anyway

Don't make out that wanting france at the world-cup is as bad as saying its ok to commit murder

I don't care what you have to day Mr M&P pie..I mean opinions are like arseholes, everyone has one.

is there a post missing, who brought murder into it

i agree with you IP if wanting to see a bunch of cheaters in the WC is what soccer fans want theres nowt we can do.

Sorry, but you lost... robbed yes. But so were Birmingham two weeks ago when N'Gog dived and got a penalty but I heard nothing has been done about that.

Va Va Voom

There was only one cheater... and that was Henry.

If it wasn't bad enough that FIFA and UEFA screwed us by suddenly deciding to seed these games now we have a blind referee who saw nothing along with his linesman and what the hell was the purpose of the fourth official?

Ireland have been well and truly screwed over by cheats and that happened long before last nights game   this is all about the revenue that can be generated by having the likes of France, Portugal and Germany qualify. I wouldn't be surprised if the fourth official was made to say he saw nothing wrong.  Tis a sad day for football.

Meaty I can't believe your comments

you didn't watch the match did you M&PP?   You havent a clue what went on.

says it all about todays footy fans

Pengy - It happens every week in football so it doesnt shock me at all, I would be in full support for video technology, as a rugby fan it works very well... a few controversial decisions but helps the game alot. But for now its just another usual week, but ireland robbed this time round... nothing new there.

*Puts tinhat on and creeps into the thread*