By Robert Johnson

Last updated at 15:04, Friday, 27 November 2009

IT was on the cards, but I felt sorry when I heard that Portsmouth boss Paul Hart was sacked.

Robert Johnson REF: 0295842

ANOTHER talking shop where nothing will be achieved. That’s what I predict will happen when football’s governing body FIFA holds its extraordinary general meeting next week.

The meeting has been called to discuss incidents during the World Cup play-offs – where do we start with that old chestnut?

Thierry Henry handballing France to the next World Cup, or the travesty that the ties were seeded in the first place and that it happened at the last minute?

There was nothing fair with either of those decisions and cheap talk will not turn back time.

And I bet video technology gets kicked into the long grass despite the overwhelming argument to at least trial the use of TV replays during controversial football moments. Will lessons be learned from the past month’s events?

It has been reported that UEFA president Michel Platini could push for the Europa League experiment to be extended to other competitions.

The experiment, where an additional assistant referee stands behind each goal, has been met with mixed reactions from some managers. It may be extended to the World Cup, but I think it would be far simpler to use video technology instead of having six match officials.

Avram Grant was brought in by the club’s new regime and the writing looked firmly on the wall for Hart from that point.

I liked Hart – an honest manager who had to work in difficult conditions – especially where transfers were concerned.

Pompey propped up the table, but I had a feeling that the South Coast club were starting to play better and had every chance of getting themselves out of trouble.

The team seemed to be playing for their manager. But the powers that be felt Hart wasn’t the right man for the job – another Englishman hits the managerial scrapheap.

It won’t be long until Englishmen managing in the top flight becomes a thing of the past.

First published at 12:56, Friday, 27 November 2009
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk