Blatter and FIFA rule out new measures
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A watershed? More like a wash-out.
Rather than introducing measures to prevent another major controversy next summer, the verdict from the highly anticipated EGM of FIFA's Executive Committee was that football should persist with the same level of officialdom in next summer's World Cup. No extra bodies behind the goal. No video technology. No news is bad news.
Sure, Sepp Blatter promised to explore all those options further down the line, but the reality is that, despite Ireland's grievances, FIFA are willing to risk a repeat of the Paris debacle in the greatest competition of them all.
Indeed, by indicating that retrospective punishment could follow for Thierry Henry, Blatter effectively delivered his verdict on who was to blame for the debate that has overshadowed a week of ceremony in South Africa. It's not me, Thierry, it's you.
Although a ban for Henry would open a can of worms, it would at least test the sincerity of the 32-year-old's grovelling apology two days after his handball set up William Gallas for the goal to break Irish hearts. Would he appeal a one or two-game ban? A potentially amusing scenario.
Of course, it was the French who were crying unfair yesterday, feeling they are paying the penalty for Henry's misdemeanours by being seeded second for tomorrow's finals draw, with FIFA deciding to disregard performance in previous finals and results accrued in November and instead opting for the world rankings as per October in drawing up their list. "It's an injustice," raged former Les Bleus boss Michel Hidalgo. Join the queue buddy.
The only thing that the various protagonists in this sorry debacle now share in common is the collective sense that they've been screwed over at some stage. Even Sepp.
Ostensibly, he tried to apologise to the FAI yesterday for the manner in which he made light of their 33rd game plea at a business conference on Monday.
"I regret what I created by what I said," insisted Blatter. "I'm sorry about these headlines going around the world. I meant nothing against the Irish. They were very sporting people when they came to FIFA and it's a pity that it was communicated in this way. Sorry again."
Sadly, the most powerful man in the game appeared to overstate the role that headlines played in angering the Irish. It was the fact that Blatter breached confidentiality in the style of a panel show comedian. Actions rather than words.
disrespectful
"It was inappropriate and disrespectful to our country," said FAI CEO John Delaney of Blatter's Monday appearance, not exactly enamoured by the apology.
"When you have a meeting, it means everything is kept indoors. He breached confidentiality in a way that suited him. In an a la carte fashion. I tried to impress upon him the deep hurt in our country and he clearly didn't understand that, the way he behaved subsequently"
A statement from the FAI earlier in the day confirmed they had withdrawn their request to have the 33rd team issue discussed at the EGM, an assertion ratified by Blatter.
In fact, the Irish missive was coherent in terms of stating the association's position and imploring FIFA to consider improvements to the game such as advancing technology and encouraging stronger sanctions for cheats.
"Instead of diverting attention, we would prefer that Mr Blatter uses this opportunity to deal with the issues which have been raised formally for the benefit of football worldwide," it read.
"The FAI raised these matters only so that the likelihood of such incidents recurring be reduced and now leaves their consideration in the hands of football's world governing body."
Upon learning of Blatter's post-EGM statement, Delaney responded with scepticism. "I hope it's not a fudge, I really hope it's not a fudge," he said. And, as those with an interest in the League of Ireland can verify, they know a thing or two about fudges out in Abbotstown.
The FIFA chief did speak in a manner which suggested change is possible in the future, but stressed the logistical problems of introducing extra officials for the World Cup at short notice. In terms of progress, the concession that the current system of officiating is inadequate, is a start.
"The executive committee came to the decision that the referee is not any longer consistent with the quality and the speed of the game, and the interest of television and 32 cameras as we will have in the World Cup," he said.
"But it has been decided that for the World Cup 2010 there is no change for referees. We will still have one referee, two assistants, one No 4 and perhaps additional subs on the bench. But on the field of play you will have one referee and two assistants. This is for 2010, definitely."
"We do not ignore the experiments, but they are being made in only one professional league in Europe. Most of those referees will not be selected for the World Cup," said Blatter. "In the other countries the experiments have not been made, so it's the opinion, not only of the executive committee, but other committees, too, that an experiment must be carried out globally before you can put it into the World Cup."
The point is an easy one to make, yet the prospect of extra officials is hardly comparable with the introduction of a new type of football or the implementation of the backpass rule. For the players, the game should still be the same.
You would presume that all qualified referees understand the rules, so it's hard to see the difficulty with an extra trained pair of eyes being added to the mix unless Blatter is concerned about their ability to negotiate a crash course in operating an earpiece.
Video technology is another story; a faraway land at this juncture. Maybe it's the dilemma facing the next generation of administrators, whose first task will surely be to step over the corpse of Blatter, who, at 73, is seeking a fourth term in office, on the way to the throne.
If they're looking for somewhere to dispose of the body, they won't find much room under the carpet.
- Daniel McDonnell
Irish Independent
