It is appalling that Ireland have been eliminated from the World Cup in such a tragic and fraudulent manner.

In fairness to Thierry Henry, few, if any, professional footballers would own up to such an action.

Diego Maradona, Manchester United’s former keeper Roy Carroll – who famously denied the ball had crossed the line when TV showed otherwise – and indeed any player who dives are as guilty.

The blame should be aimed at the referee and officials who should have noticed what had happened.

Surely television replay evidence is long overdue.

Cricket has used the third umpire system for more than a decade.

Racecourses have used cameras at the finish line for 50 years.

The major tennis tournaments use electronic line calls and American football uses TV replays.

With so much at stake in professional sport the urge to cheat is overwhelming.

Failure to qualify for a major tournament can involve millions of pounds and the end of careers in some cases.

I can see no reason why the fourth official in soccer matches cannot look at a TV monitor.

Referees already use radios to contact their assistants. This could be extended to the fourth official.

Yes, it will mean play stops for a minute or so. But, at a stroke, diving and handball would be brought to instant attention.

Players have been sent off because of diving. The decision may be overturned later but if a team has been forced to play with ten men it is hardly fair.

Diego Maradona’s “hand of God” was the moment when TV monitors should have arrived.

Richard Szypulski, Lavender Street, Brighton