If you like films about gangsters and the mafia, of course you won’t miss the film made by Martin Scorsese, The Irishman. This seasoned director who also spawned Godfellas and Shutter Island slickly wraps up the life story of the number one bufalino mafia family, Frank Sheeran. In terms of family, Sheeran was born in a family from Ireland who migrated to America.
The ruthlessness of Sheeran the Irishman’s hand was captured so warmly by Scorsese in the absurdly long film of more than three hours. We can still see the cold Sheeran clearing up the hiccups that interfered with the Bufalino family business without shuddering in horror. Sheeran carries the Irish name of his ancestral land in every inch of his mission, including when sending Jimmy Hoffa’s life into the afterlife.
But ten years before this film was released, the Irishman’s superiority was robbed by a mob of French men in blue shirts. Controversy occurred at the end of the 2010 World Cup qualifiers which made Thierry Henry a villain. The incident that made all Irish people condemn France in the 2010 World Cup.
As a finalist in the 2006 German event, of course, France should be very worthy to be in the title contender discussion in 2010. However, the squad that is still being protected by Raymond Domenech invites more doubts than admiration. In Euro 2008 alone they failed to qualify from the group stage and without a single win. They are joined in a tight group containing Italy, the Netherlands and Romania.
It was very strange at that time that the FFF did not kick the coach who adhered to the zodiac predictions in choosing the squad after the embarrassing results at Euro 2008. It was only later that the FFF’s strange attitude reaped nothing more than sadness. France must go through a play-off against Mr. Ireland. Trap Giovanni Trapattoni in two games for the last European ticket.
Previously, FIFA changed the format for determining play-off opponents through the seeded-unseeded team mechanism. They put France in the joint seeded pot (Portugal and Russia) and Ireland in the unseeded (together with Bosnia-Herzegovina and Slovenia) is clearly a practice to keep big teams in the World Cup. Long story short, France managed to win in Dublin thanks to goals from Anelka, the same person who would make Domenech angry later on.
Switch to Stade de France 18th November 2009 to secure the red carpet for France. They actually fell behind by Robbie Keane’s goal and failed to reply until normal time ended. Henry’s hand incident occurred in the second half of extra time. Florent Malouda’s free kick glided swiftly to the left side of Shay Given’s goal.
Henry immediately chased the ball so as not to come out, but the ball bounced towards Henry’s arm. Henry’s only reflex was to direct the ball so as not to continue sliding out with his left arm with the addition of one touch with his right foot, the ball aimed at the center. It was there that William Gallas was already there, who then scored the ball into the area left by Given.
Referee Stefan Hansson from Sweden confirmed the goal even though all the Irish players raised their hands to signify handsball. Unfortunately, Hansson and his two assistants’ views on Henry’s action were blocked by a crowd of players. The goal was still valid and France won the last ticket for the European zone.
The protests by the Irish did not stop there, the FAI officially sent an official letter of objection because it was unfairly removed. They want a rematch and demand the implementation of more sophisticated technology at the World Cup to overcome similar problems. FIFA firmly rejected the request for a rematch and did not grant the application of the technology at a later date. The thing that led to a blunder when at the 2010 World Cup there was actually a controversy over Lampard’s ghost goal, FIFA could no longer avoid it after that.
Henry as the main actor immediately received various criticisms and even threats to his family. He himself had considered retiring after the incident, although he finally canceled it due to the support of those closest to him. Regarding his handsball, Henry himself admitted it after the game as well as argued that all must follow the referee’s decision.
But the happy smile of Domenech and the French public did not last long. They were shattered and left behind is a piece of superiority in South Africa. If you are already tired of Mourinho’s actions when he is a bitch, he really is nothing compared to Domenech’s behavior. At the training camp alone, Domenech has made a controversial decision, sending Lassana Diarra home which he considers not up to his standards.
France finally did not qualify for the group phase at the 2010 World Cup. The team’s internal condition was already dilapidated when Anelka clashed with Domenech at halftime in the match against Mexico. All the players revolted when Anelka was sent home by the FFF and refused to train, sending Domenech and FFF to disaster. It is suspected that the player has bored with Domenech’s choice of ineffective tactics.
Maybe God heard the prayers and cursing of all Irishmen around the world and finally punished France to return from South Africa with a face of shame. Actually, it’s a bit unique, Ireland has its own school of football called Gaelic Football. There the players were allowed to dribble with their hands, but finally Henry’s hand shattered their dream of competing in the World Cup again.
ASL
