Alex Massie Alex Massie

La Main du Match


Photo: Lionel Bonaventure/AFP/Getty Images

If there were a World Cup for Being Sanctimonious, Ireland would qualify every time. So, mind you, might Scotland. The aftermath of last night’s match in Paris has been predictably entertaining. One refereeing blunder (though it’s quite pssible the referee was unsighted and so did not, in fact, “bottle” the decision) has provided ample opportunity for cant and humbug. Thus, the Irish demand that the match be replayed. Good idea! Let’s have another go at the 1966 World Cup Final while we’re at it!

FAI President John Delaney complains:

“There’s a team that should be in the World Cup today and that’s us. We should be there but we are not there.”

And Justice Minister Dermot Ahern* moans:

“They probably won’t grant it [a replay] as we are minnows in world football but let’s put them on the spot,” the minister said. “It’s the least we owe the thousands of devastated young fans around the country.

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