World Cup

Ireland Assistant Marco Tardelli Bemoans Politics In Football

Tardelli believes that the officials should have stopped the match to ask Thierry Henry if he had handled the ball.

Nov 19, 2009 3:21:17 PM

Giovanni Trapattoni and Marco Tardelli - Ireland (PA)

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Giovanni Trapattoni and Marco Tardelli - Ireland (PA)

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Republic of Ireland assistant coach Marco Tardelli is still furious with the decision to allow William Gallas' goal for France in their World Cup play-off.

Thierry Henry's handball in the build-up to the goal has been heavily documented, and Tardelli believes the blame lies with the referee.

"We played a brilliant match, the goal should have been ruled out and we deserved to get to the penalty shootout, at least," he explained to Dahlia Sport.

"The referee should have at least stopped the game and asked Henry if he had touched the ball with his hand - it would have been only right. I think Henry would have said he did.

"But at the time, he didn't think of doing it. He thought that all the players and the coaches were idiots."

When Tardelli was asked whether he thought that FIFA wanted France to be in the World Cup at the expense of Ireland, the Italian seemed to agree.

"There are some things that seem strange to me. For instance, they changed the rules for the play-off draw when some teams were in difficulty. We were the only non-seeded side not to have played the return leg at home.

"Fair play cannot be taught. This is no longer sport. Unfortunately football is becoming a political game," he added.

Anthony Wright, Goal.com

The 2010 World Cup is fast approaching, so keep up to date with all the news at Goal.com's World Cup homepage

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