Technology needed to stop cheats prospering

Published on Thursday 19 November 2009 21:55

IT HAS been described, too jingoistically, as "the hand of frog" but Thierry Henry's handling of the ball in France's World Cup play-off victory against Ireland has provoked worldwide condemnation.

Within hours the once respected footballer has become the subject of viral website images, some in extremely bad taste, highlighting the French captain's reprehensible behaviour. In its response the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) has called on Fifa to order that the game be replayed and reminded football's governing body of its oft cited credo of fair play and integrity.

Henry, who has admitted he used his hand to control the ball before the goal which put Ireland out of the tournament was scored, has found few supporters. Even some of his compatriots have attacked Raymond Domenech's team for "indisputable cheating".

Some may see football as more important than life and death, but it is not. It is only a game, but one which makes great play of fair play. It is hard not to conclude that professional footballers care little for this ethos and are no better than highly-paid cheats, intent on winning by fair means or foul.

We might hope that players will be shamed into greater honesty but it is a vain hope. Instead it must surely be time for football to follow sports such as rugby, cricket and tennis in introducing television replay technology to avoid controversy – and crack down on cheating.