I don't think many people realize how this impacts both nations.

For France: If they don't score, they do not make the world cup. This starts a chain reaction as one of the great footballing nations in the world misses out on the world's biggest event. The head coach and his staff go, some of the [great] players retire from international duty as their next chance to play is five years away. Most likely we never see Thierry Henry, William Gallas, Eric Abidal, Nicolas Anelka, and Patrick Vieira play for France again. Wholesale changes are made to the coaching staff, trainers, and lineup, and the rebuilding probably doesn't stop France from getting to the World Cup in 2014 but definitely prevents them from being contenders for the championship.

Because they did score (wrongfully), France keeps their head coach and staff, the older great players perviously mentioned will play one last time. France is still a serious contender for the title, and even if they don't win it all they can affect the tournament in a drastic way. After the tournament France will slide smoothly into a new coaching staff, which can build on their 2010 result. In the end, France will keep its place amongst the elite footballing nations.

For Ireland: The loss will leave a hideous scar on the entire Irish population (that cares about football, which is a great percentage). This event will be remembered much the way Maradona's "Mano de Dios" affected the English (and still affects them). The team is supported fervently, and a trip to the 2010 World Cup would have greatly boosted morale in a country in the middle of a horrible economic crisis. The win would have been one of those "David beats Goliath" victories that could have spurred the little leprechauns into a few solid results, which could have seen more resources go toward development of youth players, resulting in better infrastructure and then players and then increased world profile.

Because they lost, Ireland goes back to being England's red-headed (literally) stepchild. A few very good players (like Shay Given, one of the best goalkeepers in the world) will most likely not continue all the way until 2014. The country doesn't have much for sport outside football, and their domestic league being rubbish sees them as having nothing of sporting importance lying ahead for several years. In instances like Côte d'Ivoire, the country which was in the midst of terrible economic and political conditions, they came together and celebrated as their national team made a run late into the tournament. The same sort of thing may have occurred for an Irish nation that still has two separate national teams while their political and economic state is struggling.

Their pot of gold at the end of the world cup qualifying rainbow, which they fully deserved, was jacked in the middle of the night while the ref had his eyes closed. France was after their lucky charms.

A horrific call by an official who has made several in his career. Swedish newspapers (the officiating crew were Swedes) ran stories apologising to the Irish and denouncing the call and the referee. ("There are millions of Irishmen around the world hanging their heads today, but we hope that there are three Swedes who feel even more distraught")

What may be missed in North America is that Ireland is a minor player in world soccer, whereas France is a perpetual power. To have France advance to the World Cup on the basis of such a monumental screw up is significant, and several spokesmen for French soccer have expressed disappointment and a certain degree of shame, although not to the extent of being willing to replay the match of course. The notable exception to that lack of willingness to replay has been Henry, who not only admitted the foul at the time of the match, but has expressed dismay (while saying it was unintentional) and suggested a replay.

The spooky music running underneath all of this is FIFA's long standing tradition of playing fast and loose with integrity. They don't want to lose the money that France will bring to the World Cup tournament, and Ireland has no significant clout at that level. FIFA's decision not to replay a crucial match under such circumstances, and to resolutely oppose any kind of video review, make a total mockery of their "fair play" campaign.

Referee's make bad calls in sports all the time. But when they decide the outcome of major games, it becomes news. In this case, it was a monumentally bad call. Soccer doesn't get as much press in this country, but internationally it is big news.

The key question now stands: will Ireland declare war with France as a means to preserve their national honor after this blatant injustice? I'm sure a few Irishmen will stand up and be counted for that conflict!!

They take their football seriously, but perhaps not so much!! I think...

A pretty big deal all over the world. The handball assisted goal by the French player cost Ireland its chance of going to the World Cup. It's not to say that France wouldn't have won the game if the penalty was called but I guess we wouldn't know. Anyway, I think if it was Ireland who won the game then France would feel shafted. Bad calls in sports often affect the outcome of the game. It wouldn't be a bad idea to have instant replay across sports.

This one is turning into an international incident.

The World Cup is a big deal as it happens only once every four years. For Ireland to be eliminated like this after dominating the match must be pretty painful.

That being said, how can you blame the player? There seems to be an ugly backlash brewing against Thierry Henry, when that ugliness would be much better served towards the refs or towards FIFA for not having instant replay.