Yerevan

Photo: Otto Greule, Getty Images

The soccer world is up in a frenzy following France’s controversial victory over Ireland that clinched a birth for the French and washed away the Emerald Isles’ dream of a 2010 World Cup.

The fury and agitation on behalf of the Irish and all soccer fans alike is well deserved considering the way the match ended, which makes it even more immanent that instant replay be a mandatory implement in sports.

In extra time, French superstar Thierry Henry illegally handled the ball twice and then passed the ball to teammate William Gallas in the Irish penalty box for the deciding goal.

The play wasn’t as clean nor was it pulled off as deceivingly as Diego Maradona’s “Hand of God” goal, but with the magnitude of the game and a godly annunciated last name to boot, Henry (Pronounced ahn-REE) will forever live in French royalty and Irish infamy.

Which brings the question, why isn’t instant replay incorporated in every sport?

This is the 21st century; a time of technological revolution where a camera counts the number of pores on a player’s nose and even diagnoses a proper cleansing cream at the press of a button. But, no! No, replay!

All hell would break loose if they used their million dollar equipment to right a wrong call. Fans would arrive home three minutes later than they would have, even though they don’t care it takes them an hour to leave the stadium’s parking lot after the game.

The NFL has a replay system that is highly efficient and successful, less the Ed Hoculi’s of the world. In basketball, if referees don’t have money riding on the game, for the most part, we can expect fair officiating.

Baseball’s replay system is in a tangled mess worse than a closet full of loose wiring. They would rather get a home run call correct than the winning run at home of a World Series game that was blatantly missed. But that’s baseball for you, where chicks dig the long ball and a sport with no time limit complains about making it longer.

Speaking from a fans perspective, I have no problem waiting whatever time an official needs to make sure the absolute correct call was made.

And here’s an idea, free of charge.

Why not have licensed league-mandated referees work as the instant replay officials in a television infested booth? There, in a matter of seconds, they can make the right decision even millions of fans around the world could see even after they single-handedly destroyed a 12-pack.

Until then, talk to you about the next biggest blown one.