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Judge for yourself: was it a deliberate handball? INPHO/Donall Farmer
Controversy

Armenia launch protest over keeper’s red card

Ireland’s opponents felt aggrieved after Roman Berezovsky’s red card significantly hampered their hopes of a victory last Tuesday.

THE ARMENIAN FOOTBALL federation have filed an official protest to UEFA over their goalkeeper’s sending off against Ireland last Tuesday.

Reuters reports that they believe replays proved the Armenia keeper, Roman Berezovsky, chested rather than handled the ball and they have asked for the red card to be rescinded.

There was also further complaints that Simon Cox appeared to handle the ball in the lead-up to the sending off.

However, FFA chief Ruben Airapetyan dismissed Armenian fans’ speculation that they were the victims of a UEFA conspiracy implemented to make up for the infamous Thierry Henry handball incident, which all but ended Ireland’s World Cup qualifying hopes two years ago. He said:

“Trust me, I would never think or believe that it would be possible for UEFA to give such instructions to the referee.”

Ireland won 2-1 in last Tuesday’s game, securing a place in the Euro 2012 play-offs at Armenia’s expense, where it has just been announced that they will meet Estonia.

For more information, read Reuters>

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