FIFA to consider video replays
FIFA have agreed to look at the possibility of using video evidence in the future despite refusing to discipline France striker Thierry Henry following his now infamous handball against Ireland.
Henry has escaped any punishment meaning he will not be banned for any of France’s World Cup games in South Africa after FIFA’s committee decided there was “no legal foundation” for them to deal with the case.
A FIFA statement read: “The disciplinary committee reached the conclusion that there was no legal foundation for the committee to consider the case because handling the ball cannot be regarded as a serious infringement as stipulated in article 77a of the FIFA disciplinary code.
“There is no other legal text that would allow the committee to impose sanctions for any incidents missed by match officials.”
Henry’s handball in the build up to William Gallas’ decisive goal in November’s World Cup playoff ended the Republic of Ireland’s dream of qualifying for the finals in South Africa.
The Football Association of Ireland were infuriated by the goal and demanded a replay and then suggested they should be allowed to go to the World Cup as a 33rd team. These ideas were rejected by FIFA.
However, FIFA have now promised to consider using video evidence in the future although nothing will be implemented in time for the World Cup finals in the summer.
There have been calls for the technology to be introduced in the past, but only now has world football’s governing body decided to examine the possibility of doing so.
January 19, 2010
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