World Cup playoffs

[plant43]

Originally Posted by on the move

So what? How many of the press pack had their country dumped out of the WC by a handball?

Controversial incidents happen in football, fair enough. But any player can control a ball with his hand and set up his teammate for a tap in. The reason any player doesn't do it, is because it is illegal.

I was at the game. There were 5 offences in that passage of play, 5 injustices that referees/linesmen at the highest level of the game are trained to spot and act upon. The fact that none of them were is unforgiveable. So no, I won't "get over" it. We'll still be complaining about it for years and years to come, as we have every right to do.

Sounds like Costa Rica were dumped out by a bad offside decision.

In any case, if the goal had have been disallowed, I think France would still have scored. They were coming on stronger, Ireland were making more mistakes and not really retaining the ball. France stopped playing once the goal was scored.

Plus any defence with McShane in it is liable to concede at any point.

Joking aside, it looks like FIFA are going to mandate an extra official at either end for the World Cup. I think that's the best outcome we could hope for. Also I think Sepp Blatter said that the qualification process needs to be looked at again, and I think they may do away with playoffs in the future.