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Thierry Henry Handballs France into World Cup 2010. Would You Have Done the Same?
Comments(170)Algeria, Greece, Portugal and Slovenia all won their playoffs and qualified for the World Cup today. Uruguay vs Costa Rica is happening as I type. But there’s one story that will be dominating the World Cup playoff headlines, and I think you already know what it is: Thierry Henry’s handball for France vs Ireland.
With the aggregate score at 1-1 and the game halfway through extra time, penalties were just around the corner. But in the 103rd minute Thierry Henry controlled the ball and crossed for William Gallas to head home the goal that sent France to World Cup 2010 and Ireland home. Only problem is that Henry controlled the ball with his hand. Twice.
To be more accurate, Henry controlled the ball on his forearm and then directed it with his hand. It was the upper body equivelant of taking the ball on your knee and then passing with your foot. There is very very little doubt in my mind that Henry handballed intentionally.
So yes, Henry has cheated France into World Cup 2010. Which is absolutely disgraceful. Not just from Henry but from the refereeing team too.
But before we all condemn Henry, let me ask you this. And please answer honestly: Would you have done the same?
If you were fighting to get your team to World Cup 2010, wouldn’t you do everything in your power to make it happen? Even if it meant bending or breaking the rules? I’m not excusing what Henry did, and he’s definitely (to quote Kevin Keegan) gone down in my estimation tonight. But I can definitely understand why he did it.
Displaying the most recent 25 comments from a total of 170 comments.
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FIFA is an absolute joke. Full of corruption looking after the bigger countries. Where was Sepp Blatter today releasing a statement about the FAI’s request probably off having a good old time with michel plattini having a grat laugh. Seeding the playoff draw was only done so that you could assure that the bigger countries get the best possible advantage. That was completly wrong why should they be seeded again, after the qualifying group was already seeded. If anything it should nt have been seeded because the bigger teams should have qualified in the first place, it seems to me fifa just give the bigger teams more and more chances making it impossible for small nations like us to ever qualify. Are we not allowed dream aswell? or is it only the French and the other massive nations!! FIFA as an organization is an absolute joke and they should be ashamed of themselves!!!
Posted from 
Ireland
One would be forgiven for believing that TITI Henry meant Thief Thief Henry for the double handball. Any Philippine national will give you the true meaning of TITI and it is very fitting for a genuinely low moral person trying to hide their dark nature by speaking with a posh accent!
Arnab,
You obviously no nothing about football so perhaps it is also fair to say we should forgive Hitler for not eradicating idiots like you from the planet!
Why bother watching the World Cup, when the once great French team have cheated their way to South Africa.
I’m switching to Rugby.
hE IS A LOWLIFE AND SOMEDAY HE WILL GET HIS LEGS BROKE SCUM LOSER!!
Posted from 
United States
why don’t you all stop acting like offended little virgins. i can guarantee you that any of your country teams has cheated at some point or another, pulling shirts, faking injuries, diving, handballs, etc…. football is played by humans who are just as corrupt sometimes as we all can be in society. so before you call Henry scum or wish to see his legs broken, take a careful look at the shit you do in life. scumbags.
i am French and ashamed of this qualification. but even if the goal was disallowed, both teams would still have been leveled on aggregate, and therefore would have had another 15 mn extra time half plus eventual PK’s at the end of which either Ireland or France could have won. My sincere apologies to Ireland but what would your attitude be had any of your players put in a second goal “unjustly” ? let’s be real instead of being hypocritical puritans.
Posted from United States
Ok, Henry did hand the ball. Sure Ireland looked a tad more dtermined.Absolutely the game should be replayed. But let’s not forget that over 210 minutes, Ireland was NEVER qualified, not for a single second. And when it comes to establish themselves as martyrs and victims of the ‘powerhouses’ let’s ask our Georgian friends what they think of Ireland’s fair play, shall we? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jf9fx4ipF4Q. Examplary indeed…. grow up little men in green, grow up.
Posted from 
Australia
INSTANT REPLAY NOW!!!!
The French-Irish game has been a wake up call to the heavens (and hopefully FIFA) for CHANGES NOW. The game clearly demonstrates that it is time to introduce instant reply to the beautiful game of football. It MUST be done so we can avoid future scenarios which brings the games integrity at risk!!!!
Todays game of football has become a big moneygame and SO important. Not only for the teams but for all connected to the sport like, sponsors, fans etc. So it is time to realize that we are in the 21st century and that sports have to follow the developments which includes better technology. Other big money sports like American Football, Rugby and Tennis allready have imbraced the technology not only for the good of the game but also for the fairness of the game. Introduce instant replay ASAP so we NEVER AGAIN will witness a game like the one played in Paris.
Many will probably say that introducing instant replay will ruin the game, but who, in their right minds, would argue against this after watching that game. And remember. That as a bonus we will never again see cheating from the players and referees who will be pressured to make wrong calls. Introducing instant replay is a WIN WIN situation for ALL. REALISE THAT FIFA AND UEFA!!!!!!!!!
http://www.noafricaforfrance.com
We invite all the honest fans, whatever country, football faith or team to take part to this petition we will send to FIFA, in order to ask for the football match France-Ireland (ended 1-1) to be repeated. The goal Gallas scored was made defective by Thierry Henry’s double handball.
This petition won’t be against the French people we respect for their sense of honesty and love for justice.
We compel the World Football Government to listen to us. If we collect millions of signatures they won’t be able to ignore it. Football wouldn’t exist if we didn’t follow, support and love it.
At least people aren’t going to be accusing Italy of cheating anymore! =]
Posted from United States
Point one in the Fifa Fair Play Code: “Play fair. Winning is
without value if victory has been achieved unfairly or dishonestly.
Cheating is easy, but brings no pleasure. Playing fair requires courage
and character. It is also more satisfying. Fair play always has its
reward, even when the game is lost. Playing fair earns …respect, while
cheating only brings shame. Remember: it is only a game. And games are
pointless unless played fairly.”
After the events over the last few days, the flag that represents FIFA Fair Play has been well and truly tarnished and I feel that the flag should never be hoisted at any Irish football ground in protest of the blatant cheating in St Denis. Can we call FIFA’s statement today an endorsement of cheating and deception? I would, unless there is action taken against the perpetrators. The seeding of the draw in September made me suspicious and I was very conscious that Ireland would be undone controversially and my fears were realised on Wednesday night. Not only that Thierry Henry has a lot to answer for, I would equate Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini in the maelstrom also. These people owe the people of Ireland a full, sincere and public apology for the emotional trauma inflicted on this nation. We Irish people shall be strong and united in the justice we seek. Our ancestors gave up their lives for our freedom, we now fight for what is right to clean up the game of football and we shall be leaders to end cheating and corruption in the Beautiful Game that is now being sullied.
Posted from Ireland
Protest planned over play-off
Saturday, 21 November 2009 07:23
A group of Irish soccer supporters plan to march from Lansdowne Road to the French Embassy in Dublin this afternoon, in a continuing protest over last Wednesday night’s controversial World Cup play-off against France.
A similar demonstration was held at the French Embassy yesterday.
The French Football Federation has rejected a call from the Football Association of Ireland to approach FIFA about having the match replayed.
AdvertisementThe FFF says FIFA’s decision is binding and applies to both Federations.
The player at the centre of the controversy, Thierry Henry, has earlier said a replay would be the fairest outcome.
From RTE website.
Posted from Ireland
As they say in theatre……break a leg Henry…..both of them. How insulting to Nelson Mandela for you, the French Football Federation backers and FIFA to extort your way to a land which offered so many innocent lives in the pursuit of equality and fair play for its people. You are all complicit in this dastardly act and are a disgrace to your country and humanity. I have cancelled my purchase of a French car and will not purchase a single French product again. I urge all decent football fans to do likewise to ensure that the Billion Euro bonanza that the world cup participation is worth to France is more than offset trough reduced sales of its products. Furthermore, FIFA has effectively told all nations to #@%$ o££ when fair play is demanded. From now on, FIFA should not be given a platform to espouse such propoganda which it does not even believe in itself! Ban this banner at all future games in any country and if the downright lie is introduced or any announcements made about fair play on behalf of FIFA they should be shouted down. Let FIFA know it is an organisation establised for the promotion of big nations through whatever means possible – especially cheating if that is what is required – and that its rules are designed to protect the cheats in their pursuit. Hitler would be proud of the way this organisation is operated – or should I say dictated.
Are you people for real? I think that one positive aspect of the controversial game is that some of you finally found something to live for. Pathetic. So in essence, Ireland will not go to South Africa, and sadly enough we will miss all of you guys who will boycott French products…..I’m fearing a .000001 % drop of our GDP, horrible. Trapattoni himself understood a long ago that there would be no re-match. Grow up, stop sulking and let me assure you that in this part of the world (Asia) nobody gives a f%*&, the same will be true of 98 % of the world cup audience 8 months from now. God speed!Slán
Posted from Australia
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/international/article6926036.ece
Posted from Australia
Posted from Australia
The game should have been won by Ireland
Henry was one of the greats but now, even my sister plays better than him.
Henry,all I can say that you tured out to be not a man of your mold.
Posted from Ireland
I hope him and all the cheating french enjoy there moment.The FIFA bosses should be shot….nothing but money grabbing whores.Ireland deserved to win that game and it was clearly robbed by that slimy shit.
Thierry and Fifa have put France in the unfortunate situation that even if they go ahead to win the World Cup it will go down in history as an unfair and cheats victory. They hold no respect as true sportsmen anymore. Leave em have it!!
Sorry for our Irish Friends, But want to clarify. HENRY is not a cheater….
now be honest if KEANE or any other Irish Player had made the same handball that lead Eire to South Africa Do you think the Irish players and fans would have ask for a replay????
Even if France didnt scote that game, Ireland was not Quaified,,
Also what’s about the Penalty not allowed n Dubln to evra and to Anelka in Paris…..
So at the end of the day I feel sorry for the iRISH, but I dont think that France stle their qualification.
Posted from United States
I`m a good soccer player for a long time now and I did things like that all the time and will keep doing it!! Don`t blame Henry blame the ref!!!
Everything for the team!! And the Irish are useless and dont belong on a world cup cos they will never survive th first round!!!!
Posted from 
Republic Of Korea
Ha ha ha… Useless? Henry needed to cheat his way into the WC as the Irish team were outplaying them the whole game. Obviously you never watched the game and you know nothing about the game. You say your a good soccer player and you cheat also.. well you summed it up there loser! France will crash and burn. Cheating will catch up to them eventually. Good luck with that.
Posted from 
Canada
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