The Beautiful Game

'The game of football is rotten: so many players cheat, so many officials miss or bottle the big decisions. I often say that I love and hate football at the same time, it's just that I have so much history with the sport that I can't walk away.'

'No, I think he's only done what any pro footballer would have done: cheat'

'Part of the problem is that cheating has become institutionalised - managers cheat by putting officials under pressure ahead of big games, players cheat by diving and pretending to be injured, the authorities leave themselves open to suggestions of cheating by leaving it until the last minute to decide whether the seed the qualifying draw to favour the big countries.'

'And there's the hypocrisy: cheated players shaking hands and hugging with a cheating player: 'honour amongst thieves'. No doubt the media will go on about the injustice for days and then when cheating works in 'our' favour they will turn a blind eye. The game is rotten.'

These are some of my comments from a text conversation I had with a friend last night while we watched the FIFA World Cup Qualifier between France and Ireland. France secured their place in next years World Cup thanks to a controversial goal.

Sure enough, immediately after the game on the 24 hour sports news channel the staff were reaching the point of hysteria - it was a outrage that the referee didn't spot the incident (interesting to note that it was initially the officials who were condemned rather than the player involved), the authorities should order the game replayed ... etc etc.

No doubt this story will rumble on for a few days labouring the 'cheated once again by Johnny Foreigner' line (players/officials: delete as appropriate) until the broadcast media get bored and move onto their next 'sensational' story.

Ultimately the referee or linesman will be held responsible by the authorities, media and fans alike and pay the price accordingly: his character will be assaulted and he'll miss out on future appointments, perhaps retire from the game - it's happened before.

Interestingly, I understand that the last time this particular match referee appeared on the English-media radar it was when he awarded Liverpool a 'dubious' 95th minute penalty in a Champions League fixture at Anfield. Liverpool scored to claim a 1-1 draw with Atletico de Madrid.

I don't remember too many calls for the match to be replayed that night.