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Robbie Keane Raging After Ireland Eliminated By France Due To ‘Obvious’ Handball
The Tottenham Hotspur striker is furious with the way that the Boys in Green were eliminated from the World Cup...
19-Nov-2009 5:20:55 AM
Republic of Ireland captain Robbie Keane has refused to sit on the fence regarding France’s controversial decisive goal in Wednesday evening’s 1-1 World Cup play-off draw.
Having given his side the lead on the night, Keane watched in horror as William Gallas’ goal was allowed to stand, despite a handball by Thierry Henry in the build-up to the Arsenal defender’s close-range header.
That strike was enough to carry France through 2-1 on aggregate, leaving a sour taste in the Tottenham Hotspur striker's mouth.
“The hand was so obvious, we're disgusted,” he told Eurosport, before taking a pot shot at football’s governing body. “FIFA absolutely did not want Ireland at World Cup.”
Keane was, however, pleased with the way his side played. “We created chances tonight,” he lamented. “We can be proud of how we played, but we failed to go through.”
Giovanni Trapattoni’s side now must wait close to a year before playing another competitive match. That fixture will be in European Championship qualifying, and doubtless the Boys in Green will go into that campaign fired up after the injustice they suffered in Paris.
Robin Bairner, Goal.com
Having given his side the lead on the night, Keane watched in horror as William Gallas’ goal was allowed to stand, despite a handball by Thierry Henry in the build-up to the Arsenal defender’s close-range header.
That strike was enough to carry France through 2-1 on aggregate, leaving a sour taste in the Tottenham Hotspur striker's mouth.
“The hand was so obvious, we're disgusted,” he told Eurosport, before taking a pot shot at football’s governing body. “FIFA absolutely did not want Ireland at World Cup.”
Keane was, however, pleased with the way his side played. “We created chances tonight,” he lamented. “We can be proud of how we played, but we failed to go through.”
Giovanni Trapattoni’s side now must wait close to a year before playing another competitive match. That fixture will be in European Championship qualifying, and doubtless the Boys in Green will go into that campaign fired up after the injustice they suffered in Paris.
Robin Bairner, Goal.com
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