Sir Alex Ferguson calls on Fifa to use TV replays after Thierry Henry handball

20 November 2009 11:45
And the Manchester United manager claims the decision makers at Fifa at the only people holding up football's move into the world of 21st century technology. [LNB]Fifa have today ruled out Irish calls for a re-staging of Wednesday's 1-1 draw against France in Paris, which resulted in a 2-1 aggregate victory for the French. [LNB] Related ArticlesFifa reject Ireland 'handball' replayThierry Henry not a cheat, says David BeckhamThierry Henry apologises for handball on TwitterHenry Winter: Henry should be banned from World CupWenger: Henry should have admitted handball immediatelyFrance up to seventh in world rankings thanks to Henry handballHenry's clear handball offence while teeing up William Gallas to score the crucial goal for the French had been cited as the basis of Ireland's appeal for a rematch. [LNB]Had TV evidence been available to aid the decision of Swedish referee Martin Hansson, the Gallas goal is almost certain to have been disallowed. [LNB]But Ferguson admits that he holds little hope of Fifa accepting the need for the televised support used by officials in other sports such as cricket and rugby. [LNB]He said: "The stance is that they (Fifa) prefer human decision-making rather than technology decision-making. [LNB]'But until they change their mind, there is nothing you can do about it - you have to convince them, nobody else. [LNB]"It is not a matter of asking every player and manager in the world their opinion because they will all share the same one, as I do myself, that technology can play a part and can help referees in a situation like the other night." [LNB]Gallas's goal sent France to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa with a 2-1 aggregate victory while Ireland have been left counting the cost of some extreme misfortune. [LNB]Ferguson added: "My thoughts were with (Ireland coach) Giovanni Trapattoni. He prepared a team that put in an absolutely magnificent performance. [LNB]'You couldn't ask for better from a coach, but it was taken away from him. [LNB]"It happens and it's denied a couple of our players (John O'Shea and Daron Gibson) the great experience of playing in the World Cup finals and you'll never get a better experience than that." [LNB]Ferguson will be without the injured Rio Ferdinand for Saturday's Old Trafford clash with Everton. [LNB]But he is hopeful that the England defender will return in December, despite reports that the 31-year-old would be sidelined until January. [LNB]Ferguson said: "It is back related. We are not putting a timescale on it, but it is not a situation where we are saying it will be months. [LNB]'It might be a couple of weeks or it might be a few weeks but that is it." [LNB]

Source: Telegraph