Trappatoni – Rule Change essential for the integrity of the game

Irish manager Giovanni Trappatoni has called for FIFA to change the rules for playoff matches. The veteran Italian believes that matches should go straight to penalties after the 180 minutes are up if the two sides are deadlocked.

Trap was forthright in his views over the biggest piece of gamesmanship against an Irish side since Neil Back cheated Munster in a European Cup final. He stated that the game was poorer for last night’s events and said that the sport had lost all credibility and called for FIFA to”Clarify the situation” He said that the integrity of the game was compromised last night. As anger grows over Thierry Henry’s blatant double handball which saw him guide a dead ball back into play before crossing for William Gallas to net their equaliser, Trappatoni could hardly disguise his fury as he fielded questions and wants the game’s governing bodies to examine one of the most blatant acts of gamesmanship seen in world football. Trap said that Henry’s actions were “indefensible” and called for a full inquiry from FIFA over the events in the 13th minute of extra time.

Trap revealed that some of his players were in tears after the final whistle after having played the game of their lives. He said that he was proud of all that his team had achieved saying that Ireland conducted themselves the right way throughout a difficult and tricky campaign.

Irish legend Liam Brady called for a replay but the Irish Assistant Manager’s plea has already fallen on deaf ears in Zurich.FIFA has confirmed that there is no chance of the game being replayed, stating that under law 5 in the official rules of the game the referee has ‘full authority to enforce the Laws of the Game in connection with the match to which he has been appointed,’ and that ‘the decisions of the referee regarding facts connected with play are final.’ For many irish fans the thought will be that France have got away with one of the biggest robberies in sporting history some would say that a robber wears a mask- last night the façade slipped for Henry and the mask was visible as he cheated his way to a swansong World Cup finals as this tiny sporting nation grieves for the thoughts of what might have been in an African summer.

Bob "The Voice" McKenzie Twitter: @BobTheVoice About: