Comments on: Dermot Ahern Demands all French Have Hands Removed

By: Blawg Review #239 « Human Rights in Ireland

Blawg Review #239 « Human Rights in Ireland — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 04:29:09 +0000

[...] The international regulator has failed us. What about an international court? Well, not a lot of people know this, but there is a Court of Arbitration for Sport. It exists, but they probably won’t make France replay the match. Clearly, this court needs urgent reform. Along similar lines (keep up!) ECHR Blog has this report on a London NGO roundtable at which groups discussed their hopes for the outcome of the Interlaken Conference on the future of the European Court of Human Rights (more detail from the Court here). The United States has historically placed rather less faith in international courts: Beth Van Schaak of IntLawGrrls blogged about the ‘rapprochement’ between the U.S. and the International Criminal Court here. Perhaps a feminist perspective would shed light on matters of international law; Lawrence Solum’s blog has flagged up this new piece by Dianne Otto. Or perhaps that would be to no avail, since law’s incapacity to resolve ground-level conflict goes deeper, striking at the heart of the notion of courts themselves (to this end Barry Friedman at Balkinization suggests that the slow rate of judicial appointments by the Obama administration is rooted in a misguided distrust of the courts as vehicles for social change). Maybe all of this discussion misses the point and courts exist to provide a space apart entirely from political passions, as Tommy Crocker suggests in excellent post at Opinio Juris on Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and the relationship between moral desert and constitutional protection (more detail on Guantánamo 2.0 here and here). There’s no point in looking to a court then: they’d never let us punish the French as we might like. [...]

By: Veronica

Veronica — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 09:36:15 +0000

Fabien,

You’re winding me up! “In rugby, we’re the little country…” I guess that’s why it took us ten years, or thereabouts, to beat France in a Six Nations fixture, or why the French beat the world champions, South Africa, last weekend, or why the French games in any rugby competition are the most eagerly anticipated for the flair and style that’s so consistently on display.

And, by the way, I wouldn’t altogether agree with you that there’s no place for fair play in business, or any other field of human endeavour. The only thing that brings out my own ruthless streak is when I see people acting as bullies or cheats or liars, whether it’s in sport, business or politics, I don’t much care.

By: Fabien

Fabien — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:37:11 +0000

Veronica,

I do not consider football like a sport for a long time, that’s business, and there is no place for fair play and spirit in business, unfortunately.

That’s why this Paris game means more than a simple football game, it tells about mediocrity around us.

Fortunately, International rugby season is starting… and your ‘little country’, who’s 2009 European champion will meet our guys soon…
In rugby, we’re the little country, the one feeling victimised, when playing this game “designed for Anglo-Saxon, managed by Anglo-Saxon where Anglo-Saxon are favored.”

By: Veronica

Veronica — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:25:26 +0000

Fabien,

Have to agree with you – French goalkeeper was superb; really brilliant saves over both play-off games. Displayed a great attitude and team spirit as well. I reckon he’s about the best thing going for the French team right now. But it’s a pity for sport in general, and the World Cup in particular, that the Paris game was won on a cheat. Leaves a sour taste in the mouth and makes the ‘little country’ feel victimised.

And, oh dear, don’t we just love parading ourselves as ‘victims’ at every turn…

By: Eoin

Eoin — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:07:35 +0000

So what’s happening this Tuesday then?

By: EddieL

EddieL — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:08:51 +0000

Now we know the most important event affectiong this country in recent times is putting a cheating hand on a ball. Alll the politicians are jumping up and down demanding a replay.
Forget about the collapse in the economy, the budget, NAMA, etc etc.
No one is looking for a replay over the cheating hand on the economy over the last ten years.

By: Betty

Betty — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:27:36 +0000

“They ” were on Joe Duffy today saying we never shudda voted for Lisbon

By: Fabien - French

Fabien - French — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:28:50 +0000

I’m french and i feel ashamed.

Ashamed by what happened during the game, but even more by what happened and have been said after.

I feel ashamed Domenech and Sarkozy act as if everything is normal,
ashamed Henry said “I touched the ball but i’m not the referee”,
ashamed none of our executive in France proposed to replay.

What Henry’s done and said is “Steal, cheat, rap, lie. As soon as justice/referee don’t catch you, that’s allowed”

Fortunately, many french people share my views.

@ Veronica, IE lost not because of Henry hands, but due to Keane, or thanks to our goalkeeper. Honestly, referee has been very bad on the goal, for the rest, pretty ok.

By: P O\'Neill

P O\'Neill — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:57:47 +0000

In sports, anything is allowed.

As we found out last night.

By: Keith Gaughan

Keith Gaughan — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:45:08 +0000

@P O’Neill: Erm, that’s something of a non-sequitur, isn’t it?