While WASSAs vocal cords are still a bit strained after the glorious qualification of the All Whites, it is the more recent qualifier between France and Ireland that has caught our eye.
For the France vs Ireland game has become overshadowed by a blatant bit of cheating that has provoked discussion that brings the 'beautiful game' and the human condition a bit closer than is normally the case.
The incident in a flash:
The perpetrator: French Captain and superstar Thierry Henry controls the ball twice with his hand ("Oui, I did it, but not on purpose") to set up a goal for team mate
The injured party: Republic of Ireland denied opportunity of qualifying for the World Cup
One commentator has reflected on this defining moment as being an opportunity to take one of two paths while an Ex French player Football reckons football has "the power to lead by example and shape values in society.".
Football and the human condition are not the strangest bed-fellows as these philosophical soundbites (apparently non less than Jean-Paul Sartre played in goal!) demonstrate. However, some of these the French and Irish would agree to disagree over!
"To give and to take, to accept success modestly and defeat bravely, to fight against odds, to stick to one's point, to give credit to your enemy and value your friend - these are some of the lessons which football should impart." Arthur Conan Doyle (Founder of Portmouth FC, and also played in goal)
In football we win if we obey the rules. In politics we win if we have the audacity to change the rules." Slavoj Zizek
"Football has nothing to do with fair play. It is bound up with hatred, jealousy, boastfulness, disegard of all rules and sadistic pleasure in witnessing violence: in other words it is war minus the shooting.”George Orwell
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