We don't need to get into the whole reason why many Irish supporters aren't exactly that fond of the French national team.
2009. World Cup play-off. Thierry Henry. Handball.
You get the gist of it.
Of course, the reaction to that incident was massive in this country. Petitions were started to get the game replayed, while the FAI cheekily asked FIFA if there was any chance they could be included as a 33rd team in the World Cup in South Africa the following summer.
We might have overreacted a little bit, but damn it we should have been playing in that tournament.
To be fair, there is a bit of poetic justice in what is currently going on in France.
They would exit Euro 2020 at the hands of Switzerland earlier this week, a huge shock when you consider that they were heavy favourites to win the whole thing.
They could have little complaints about the result after throwing away a 3-1 lead in normal time before losing on penalties.
Some in the country are not accepting that outcome, according to RTL Sport.
A massive 270,000 people have now signed a petition to have the game against Switzerland replayed due to what they believe was a refereeing error.
They believe that Swiss goalkeeper Yan Sommer came off his line to save Kylian Mbappe's decisive penalty and that it should be been retaken as a result.
This despite the fact that replays show Sommer's foot was indeed on the line as Mbappe struck the ball.
Kylian Mbappe's penalty is saved by Sommer and #SUI beat #FRA 5-4 on penalties. @StephenKelly_2 called it!#FRASUI #EURO2020 #RTEsoccer pic.twitter.com/hRwSv2Oq6o
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) June 28, 2021
Great save form Sommer! Gotta feel sorry for Mbappé though, it’s a tough thing to miss a penalty! Congratulations to the Swiss team on beating France #EUROS2020 pic.twitter.com/KyrWchemu6
— MissDumbledory (@MissDumbledory) June 28, 2021
Unsurprisingly, the demands have been given little consideration by UEFA.
Irish football fans couldn't help but see the irony in the situation, especially when you consider that unlike the Henry incident, no rules were even broken here.
More than 240,000 people have signed petition to replay France vs Switzerland game, because Sommer was 'off his line' saving the penalty...
Must be tough.
🙃🙃🙃🙃🙃https://t.co/nHdrgELimx— Rob O'Hanrahan (@RobOHanrahan) July 2, 2021
— Mark Tighe (@MarkLTighe) July 2, 2021
More than 270,000 French supporters have signed a petition for their last 16 match vs Switzerland 🇨🇭, to be replayed
They feel Yann Sommer was off his line when Kylian Mbappe took his penalty
Feck off, now you know how the Irish felt after Henry’s handball
Karma 🙌🏻 pic.twitter.com/Fr1TAZqRyd— IP🇮🇪⚽️ (@IrishPropaganda) July 2, 2021
Better luck next time lads.
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