Thierry Henry Handballs France into World Cup 2010. Would You Have Done the Same?

As a hardcore fan of any team, you want a win. But I have a hard time imagining wanting one like this.

France was playing a crap game, but they might have won it on penalties. Now we’ll never know if they could have qualified legitimately.

Sigh.

Shame, shame, shame on Henry, France, FIFA, shame on football, this magnificent game.

I think FIFA must make precedent and annul the game – make them play again, at least extra time.

A shame for the Irish. If Keane could have buried one of the many good chances he had for a second, it might not have come down to this, but what a crap way to decide who goes to the World Cup.

Damn Blatter and Platini just touched boners.

Would you have done the same?

Probably. That doesn’t mean it’s wrong though.

Il Trap must really hate FIFA now….but then again, FIFA always wanted its favorite team to make it.

the official FIFA match report makes no mention of the Henry misdemeanour…summed it all up as “France skipper Thierry Henry won the match for the hosts when his angled pass amid a goalmouth scramble was met by the head of Wiliam Gallas.” – incredible.

Any credibility Henry had left after that shocking dive against Portugal in the semi at Germany 2006 is surely gone now…disgraceful.

No one would want to qualify in the manner France did. Poor Irish.

*That doesn’t mean it’s not wrong.

Brett, that sounds just like FIFA to me. Full of shit. This is the same group whos’ President refused to hand the World Cup trophy to Italy because he didn’t want to offend France.

Poor Ireland. They shoulda have qualified.

Well it appears henry’s legs have gone by the look of his performance over the season and this game…. so i guess he had no choice but to use his hands.

Answering the question any player would have handled the ball in that situation….but it should have been spotted and is again definitive proof of the need for tv help with refereeing descisions.

Fucking disgrace… that is all.

“Damn Blatter and Platini just touched boners.”

I lol’d.

Im not sure how intentional it was. Anyone whos played football more then twice knows that sometimes odd impulses come can come over one. I grabbed the ball out of thin air once, and never understood why…

I love Henry and he is a legendary player and I hope this doesn’t tarnish his legacy in any way, but that was clearly a handball. For those of you defending Henry, you cannot say that others would have done the same, because they haven’t. There are teams that got eliminated today who played close games, were in similar circumstances and didn’t do it. Its a shame that it had to be Henry of all players. It was a disgraceful play, France should not have tied that game, either way it is what it is.

It’s a shame what happened but a terrible idea to annul the game, or play again. If they play this game again, they should certainly play the 2002 world cup quarterfinals between USA and Germany again while they’re at it

Henry just took matters in to his own hands and i would have done the same to get my team to the WC finals

impulse may explain Henry’s first touch, but not his second…

any team who gets knocked out by France next year is going to be livid.

Don’t worry, Brett. With Domenech in charge, nobody’s going to get knocked out by France.

Si Si les bleus! Lloooooooris fait nous la paaaaaradeeeeeeeee! Qualification des Bleus, Mais Entachée Quand Meme De La Main De Henry, Respect aux Irlandais !!! NIQUE DOMENECH, SAL PUTE! TAM MERE DOMENECH!!!!

Well as you can imagine there is absolute outrage in Ireland tonight, we are not a nation of whiners, god knows we are used to losing. But tonight is a very very unjust result and I have never witnessed such an immediate reaction to any sporting event. The general consensus is that France won by cheating, not by fair sportsmanship – makes a mockery of the FIFA Fair Play Slogan – was nothing fair at play tonight. I can genuinely say that France cannot be proud of their Son Henry, but I can also say that despite the result, we are still very proud of our boys – they did us proud tonite.

They need instant replay already. What will it take to get it? You have to be kidding me!!

Ireland v France
Dear Sir,
I can not believe an organisation like FIFA are so afraid of introducing technology into to the game. Surely the evidence for introducing replay technology could not be more strong after the outrages hand ball by a French player. The failure by the match officials not to see the deliberate hand ball not once but twice is bringing the game I love into disrepute. FIFA also change the rules to ensure the big countries would qualify for the World Cup. Mr. Platter and his board are holding back the game and should consider their position. FIFA and the match officials have cost a little nation like Ireland a place in the World Cup.
So much for your FAIR PLAY. Hang your head FIFA in shame.

This is simply disgraceful, football is no longer a sport, it’s all about politics like all the other shit in the world. I am disgusted by this as well as my national teams loss to Portugal. The referees are no longer there to deal justice, instead they are put on the field to ruin the weaker teams chance to win because like I said, it’s all about politics. The green carpet is only for the big boys. As for the Algiers win over Egypt, I like to congratulate them but also to let them know that if it wasn’t for that unbelievable goal which no one was expecting, they probably would have lost. These days the weaker teams need a miracle to pass through and we all know that miracles don’t come very often. P.s. Don’t justify grabbing the ball out of thin air shit to me, sure, it’s all reflex but what it comes down to is that Henry purposely pushed that ball with his hand and it’s evident in the footage. I respected him so much but now I lost all respect for him. It just goes to show that even great players are willing to stoop so low for the price of glory.

Or…I think EVERY single goal should be reviewed. Period. Really, we are not talking about such a huge investment of time, since there aren’t so many goals scored. If we take away those like this, there will be even less. I have seen far too much of this having lived in UK for 6 years…

No, i have would not have done the same. It was tied on agg. What if Henry would have admitted in-game that is was a handball and have the ref disallow it. He would have gone to the hall of fame for that alone. And had France won on penalties, then Henry would have been a class legend. Of course, Henry would rather cut corners and get to the WC by any cheating ways necessary.

Well if caught Henry would have gotten the red card and rightfully so but at the same time, any team would have done the same. I mean, Diego Maradona did not report his action to referee in 1986 and get them to reverse that Hand of God goal.

And what’s with the tone making it sound like if not for this then it’d be Ireland going through? With Lloris and Given the PK’s were a 50-50 proposition, with France possibly having an edge with the home field.

It’s unfortunate to go thru this way… but I’ll take it anyway.

There have been times where I haven’t noticed the handball until a replay but the ref or linesman caught it as it happened. How can you not see that he palms the ball towards his body? Who was this referee? He better not be allowed to ref a World Cup game. In the end these types of calls will be missed all the time. You can’t replay everything, so where would you stop a demand for replay. And who would be able to initiate a replay? The refs would seldom do so as they believe their calls are correct to begin with. Everyone gets screwed eventually, its just unfair that Ireland have to wait until 2014 to see if they go to a World Cup. Also, what has Henry said about this?????

Wow! I just saw the clip and I think Henry confused basketball for football.

henry is trash.

WOULD I DO EVERYTHING IN MY POWER TO GET TO THE WORLD CUP? YES, EVEN IF IT MEANS CHEATING. THAT HAND BALL SHOULD HAVE BEEN SEEN BY THE REF, OR CALLED IF EVEN IF THE REF THOUGHT IT WAS A HAND BALL. A CARD MAY NOT HAVE BEEN ISSUED BUT THE HAND BALL WOULD HAVE BEEN CALLED. I BLAME THIS ONE ON THE REFS, EVEN THOUGH I AM ONE.

“Yes, it was a handball, but I’m not the referee,” said Thierry Henry. “I was behind two Irish players, the ball rebounded and hit my hand, I continued to play, the referee didn’t whistle. I can’t say that it wasn’t a handball. Yes, it was a handball.”

That is just plain damn bad!!!!!!!!!! Really Henry?!! Really?!!! Really?!!!! This game is starting to look like boxing!!!!! Wow!!!!!

The second touch made it all even worse if you ask me.
But then again its a really pressured situation – I can see why this things happened in modern football, but I don’t support it.

I’m writing a letter to Fifa as we speak

Oh yeah, NO Daryl a lot of people don’t cheat! C’mon that is embarrasing for country, fans, family, and yourself and that is going down forever!!!! “Hey little Henry in 3rd grade how u doing? Your dad’s a cheating scumbag!!”

Curious fact of the day: France are actually reigning world champions in handball.

Look, it was wrong what Henry did. He knew it was wrong. He made the choice not to report it and we can judge him on that. After the match, he admitted that it was a handball.

Is he remorseful? I’m sure he is, on some level. But all the remorse in the world doesn’t change the fact that the Irish will be watching the World Cup on TV, and Henry & Co. will be in South Africa.

People, people, people. Yes, it is a disgrace. Yes, it was a handball. Henry has been nothing but class for 10 years. All the sudden he is a cheater? If that would have been Keane in the same position he would be a saint by now. The man isn’t the referee. He plays until the whistle is blown.

It is a disgrace and it will not be undone until FIFA starts to allow replays on major goals like this. One challenge a game. A coach should have the option to challenge a goal. Until it happens to France, Brazil, or England anytime soon there will be no replay in football.

It is wrong to malign Henry for this. Any body who saw the game will tell you Robbie Keane handled the ball twice, the difference was, it was rightly called. All said and done, the game is crying for technology for the last few years. I do not know how big a tragedy needs to happen to wake FIFA from its Stupor.
Also the referee can not be faulted either, he was strong and until that moment made the right decision on all the tough calls.
Well played Ireland.

Drogba sums it up: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VkhQZNHcxmE

DO WE NEED INSTANT VIDEO REPLAYS TO HELP REFS?
http://malawi.worldcupblog.org/team-news/do-we-need-instant-video-replays-to-help-refs.html

Refs decision final?????????
http://malawi.worldcupblog.org/team-news/refs-decision-final.html

If you think FIFA will do anything about it then you must have forgotten the world-famous “Hand of God” goal scored by Argentina’s Diego Maradona in the quarter-final against England in Mexico City.

The former football star, Diego Maradona, has admitted publicly for the first time that he used his hand to score one of the most controversial goals in the history of the international game.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/newsenglish/witn/2005/08/050823_maradona.shtml

Refs can make teams win games. Here is an example:

One of the best remembered decisions made by a referee came during the 1978 World Cup finals in Argentina and involved Clive Thomas from Wales.
The incident occurred at the very end of the Group C match between Brazil and Sweden at Mar del Plata. Thomas made one of the most ill-judged decisions ever when he blew for full time just a fraction of a second before a Brazilian player headed a corner into the net. Everybody thought the goal was good but Thomas ruled the goal out because time was up. The decision itself was not an incorrect one as far as the laws of football are concerned, but Thomas’ timing was shocking.

FIFA World Cup South Africa 2010 draw
http://malawi.worldcupblog.org/team-news/fifa-world-cup-south-africa-2010-draw.html

“Well if caught Henry would have gotten the red card and rightfully so…”
-Phil

Nope he would receive a Caution for deliberately handling the ball like that, and even then that’s pushing a certain interpretation of the Laws of the Game. In no way would this ever be a Red Card though.

I guess the referee was screened and he honestly just couldn’t see it because he’s not magic and he can’t see through people in a crowded box like that. It’s kind of deplorable when people use a camera angle the Referee can’t possible be at to prove that the referee got something wrong. He didn’t he was at the right place at the right time he was screened for maybe a split second and missed something very important in an extremely fast paced game.

People calling for Replays don’t really understand the spirit of the game. However ya know who would have a good look at it would be an Goal line official with an extra view to help the referee with a crowded box such as this one. Lets expand that system FIFA, especially when people are being unreasonable about a game like this.

all I know is thank god it wasn’t an Italian who pulled that stunt… for some reason, I think the comments on this blog would be a little bit harsher if it was…

Fair play ? lol. Fifa better not market their fair play bull shit anymore.

As an Irishman I am bitterly dissapointed to be knocked out by France in this manner.

If we were beaten by a superior French side (which they weren’t tonight) I don’t think anyone would complain.. infact it would probably have been expected.

However, for them to win in the manner that they did is just undermining all the hard work that the Irish players had put in during the match.

France did not deserve to win, they did not deserve to qualify and I personally dissapointed in the fact that one of my Favourite all time Players (Im an avid Arsenal fan)has let himself down in this way. i.e. he cheated. Not only did he cheat but he did it with the world watching and then he had the cheek to sit with the Ireland players at the end of the match consoling them.

I mean his celebration of his “assist” after the goal was also dispicable!!..

It always takes a French to fuck up a Italian ;)

Henry is cheap…maybe age is making him that way, but when I saw Barca play an exhibition here in San Francisco this year, Henry kept diving. In a friggin’ exhibition match?? C’mon! Man up, you wuss, play some football!

I’m not in favor of TV replay, but I AM in favor of adding extra goal line officials in major matches.

regardless of whether I you would do it in a similar situation, the action itself is just plain wrong and you would think that someone of Henry’s reputation would know better. Is it just me or are the French great at destroying their reputations with dumb plays at the end of games? At least Zidane was punished for his mistake, whereas Henry will be spending his summer in South Africa. Absolutely disgraceful and I truly feel for every Irish player, who were easily the better side in both legs.

Would I have done it if it meant a WC appearance for my country? Of course. I’m sure everybody would have done the same. Was it a terrible disgrace especially from someone like Thierry? Of course.

Good point Chris. I also don’t like that it’s always up to ONLY the Referee to be the shining beacon of light amongst a den of thieves. The players themselves should be held to account when they do something like this. It’s a complete cop-out to simply say it’s not cheating if the ref didn’t see it.

Technology = good.

“Technology = good.”

Always…in every facet of life? I think that’s much to broad a statement to take seriously.

It’s a disgrace. France now heads to South Africa known as cheats. I hope Henry never lives this down. I went to the FIFA site and their report on the matych doesn’t even mention the handball….what a joke. Henry is a CHEAT and from now on will be known as such.

pazzini scored a goal with his hand in a friendly against netherlands but told the ref handball and the ref called it back, otherwise the goal woulda stood, in henry’s case it wasnt a friendly, it was make or break time. hmmm henry is still a cheater for not bein honestt. just goes to show yaa the italians act honest, meanwhile they dunt get the recognition for it, while the french r cheaterss. o well lol

“Always…in every facet of life?”

In almost all of them. Without technology, football would still be played with rocks and such instead of a nice, lightweight, bouncy ball. Don’t be a luddite.

@ Dustin

Ha Ha, Agreed, too broad. However, I hope this thread isn’t discussing every facet of life. If so, I’ll need therapy. ‘ just think there’s got to be a way to incorporate replay technology without losing the Beautiful Game.

I hold the view that in any sport you have to take the good calls with the bad but personally i would respect him if for something so blatant he had approached the ref and fessed up. After such an act (and it wasnt a case of ball hitting hand that wasnt really his fault) how is he one day going to be able to look his kids in the eye and explain to his children the ethos of ‘playing fair’

FRANCE HATERS UNITE! Honestly, why is there so much *&$%#$% francophobia in football? I would have done it. If Thierry Henry did it, anyone would have. He’s still a god. A lot of cheating takes place in football. If you call yourself a fan you should know how to deal with it.

Obviously I’m going to come across as biased since I am a France fan, but I think it’s ridiculous to expect any player to ask the ref to disallow a goal. The French team played worse than my little sister’s JV soccer team, no one will deny that, but that has no relevance on what happened. Even teams that play amazingly take advantage of bad calls.

De Rossi is the only player I can think of who confessed, and it was in a league game that didn’t have any meaning besides three points. I seriously doubt he’d do the same if Italy was in extra time on the edge of missing out on the World Cup.

I can think of many many many instances where a team got a game winning goal by either diving to get a penalty, scoring from an offside position, or handling the ball into the net. It’s outrageous, unfair, and absolutely crushing to the other team, but it happens. I’m sure if I go back and watch some of Ireland’s past games, I’ll find a goal or two that shouldn’t have been allowed to stand. It just sucks for them that this time, it’s preventing them from being at South Africa. And believe me, I feel really bad for them. But singling France out is just as unfair as the goal that they scored.

Does this incident diminish Henry? Only if you also agree that it diminishes every other player who has ever scored a controversial goal. And if we’re on the subject of fair play, shouldn’t you also expect the Irish player who fouled Evra in the penalty box during the Ireland vs. France match to go to the referee and say that France should have gotten a penalty? I mean, fair play is supposed to go both ways, right?

I guess my point is, fine, be mad about the call and be upset that Ireland missed out on penalties (because there is no guarantee that they would have progressed had Henry not scored). But don’t label an entire nation or even a player as a disgrace to the sport when it happens ALL THE TIME with other teams and players. The disgrace is that the referee only has one set of eyes.

Because if we all started pointing fingers, there would hardly be no one left to play, would there?

Does this incident diminish Henry?

Yes, ask Zidane about his headbutt. A blatant goal to rob the Irish of the World Cup…that’s not “just” a controversial goal.

I mean, fair play is supposed to go both ways, right?

Like Anelka admitting he is a cheat as well when he dove to try and con the referee into giving a penalty?

Malouda, Anelka, now Henry…is there one French forward who isn’t a scumbag?

swap henry’s name with keane/rooney, and france with ireland/england…. would people really make a big deal out of the incident?

suddenly everyone is taking the moral highground lol

Thierry Henry=scumbag? I can’t take it, especially coming from a Juventus fan. Geez.

The first clean football match will be the first. Shirt tugging in the box, professional fouls, trips, little bits of physical intimidation are all cheating in the same way as anything that more directly results in a goal.

So what’s the problem? The question isn’t whether one of us would have done it. The question was did Henry do it? Yes. He fessed up to it. But what did he fess up to? People who claim that he deliberately played the ball with his hand underestimate how little time there was on the ball, with a defender essentially in his back pocket. In real time, good luck to anyone who can make that call.

The Irish players screamed bloody murder because any time a ball gets near an offensive or defensive player’s hand, the other side will make the “handball” gesture. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. And what if the ball plays the hand, as Henry alleges? What then?

The degree of ire depends upon which side of the fence you sit. It’s easy to say “He should have not made the play,” etc, etc. In a match you do what you can, and if the ref calls you, you move on to the next period of play. Any player on any team would have done exactly what Henry did, though it’s hard to know how many of them would have had the class to fess up to it after the math.

You know looking over it, it’s funny how Platini, who incidentally is French, moans and whines about how the English game is making a disgrace of football then France themselves go and cheat their way into the world cup.

To be honest I understand why Henry done it, and given the circumstances many people often do these things out of desperation but I think it’s times like now, in such an important matter where FIFA need to step in and do something about it.

If you look at it from a neutral point of view, France should be stripped of their qualification place and it awarded to Ireland OR at the very least the two teams should be made to play again but the sad truth is that France will get away with this Scot free.

‘Hand Of Frog’

theres 2 sides to this, yes i would do anything to get my team in the world cup, on the other side, france doesnt deserve to b in the world cup

if i was running FIFA i would ban france and place ireland in the world cup, u cannot cheat ur way to the world cup, the world cup is supposed to b the best 32 teams in the world

if france (by some miracle, or by henry’s left hand next time) where to win the world cup, can u believe what would happen????????

ps, its funny how they “randomly” choose france vs ireland, and then this hand ball incident, 2 different instances where FIFA helped france make the world cup

To me it was not fair, though the same thing was done by Maradona.

I think it’s pretty funny when a fan of the Italian NT calls French players scumbags for cheating and diving.

Pot, meet kettle.

Sure, cheating happens all the time in football but this wasn’t just some friendly. Where the French may see there spot in world cups as deserved, and perhaps rightfully so considering their recent history, Ireland may not get this close for some time considering their “golden generation” is rapidly aging. And to say something should be tolerated just because it is wide spread is insane. Slavery was also widely accepted in the not too distant past. By no means am i saying that cheating in a game is anywhere near the horror that is slavery, but it does prove a point that widespread prevalence doesn’t always equal being right. Maybe it is time to start cracking down on all these things that destroy the beautiful game because I would be suprised if anyone could really argue that any of this cheating, whether in this game or any other, is good for the game. Also to say that it wouldn’t be the same if it was Keane is crazy because I know for a fact that every French fan would be crying foul in that situation, and rightfully so.

Its the refs job to spot that. Henry did what most would, including myself if it meant the difference of my country getting into the WC.

hmmm, let see

in retrorespect, should all defenders who tug strikers shirt without being cautioned be called cheats?

all strikers who ‘musle’ their way through illegally but never get a telling a cheat too?

every goalkeeper who seemed to be waaaay off their line for the penalty shootout be called cheat too?

bahhh, this cheat business is getting on my nerve… :/

Don’t blame Henry, he’s just a football player. Blame the refs, the whole point of having them is to prevent things like this from happening. Besides, Ireland was playing at their best and France at their worst; what does that say? Ireland just isn’t meant for the World Cup. Henry is champ, and he’s done a lot of good things in the name of football around the world. I think he’s earned a free handball pass.

Get it sorted out. Major incidents should be put to video coverage.

That approach has made tennis a much better sport to watch.

Use as much technology as possibly, as it has been proved over and over again that many, probably most, players of all nationalities will cheat in these circumstances and that even the best of referees (as this one was) will be unsighted at critical moments.

Sort it out-it is a no brainer and is bound to happen sooner or later-DO IT NOW!!!

“Don’t be a luddite.”

Maybe you should look up the Historical Context of the Luddites because it’s mostly propaganda that they hated technology. What they were against was being turned into machines, mindless drones with no thought and no rights…just punching a clock with no say in what they’re creating.

Bottom line if you think we need Video Replay, you really don’t understand the spirit of the beautiful game. I for one am not going to stand around waiting for video replay, for any amount of time.

I think this is an incident too far really, at too high a level. If the captain of France doesn’t have a sense of perspective and won’t be honest about ill-gotten goal then it reflects badly on the entire team and unfortunately, because of footballs standing, on the entire nation. Given the popularity of the sport and the nations (recent) past sucesses the world will be looking to the nation of France to come out in condemnation in such an act of cheating. It happens often, correct, but never have I seen it in such a crucial game and never have I seen it so nonchalantly passed off as part of the game when, let’s be honest, the Ireland players and fans had given everything they had.

Ireland were never going to score after that goal went in because their hearts had been pummeled and their heads were rocked. Their legs had gone a long time ago but they battled on, until Henry showed them the ultimate disrespect and didn’t then reveal himself to be an admirable captain, footballer or man.

Dustin

I love the fact that in American Football video replay sorts out otherwise difficult decisions and therefore gets it right most of the time.

I think it both adds to the atmosphere and increases the sense of fair play.

The beautiful game used to be regularly wrecked by injuries to vital players with no subs. allowed. That took ages to change, but what a wonderful addition to the tactics and drama of the game the use of substitutes has provided.

Video reply is bound to come-get used to it.

Given your e mail location this is definitely a case where the Americans (whether you are one or not) get it right

Any Ireland player would have done the same thing… Was a bit unfair….should they have used the video replay? Had they not used it in 2006 Zidane would have led the team to win…. I guess its Karma.

I coach football to 6 and 10 year olds. When a refereeing decission goes against you I tell the kids “thats life sometimes, get up and get on with it” Sur Henry cheated it happens all the time sadly, but for Henry to cheat and then blame the referee for not spotting it(as he did on radio) is disgracefull and soils that man for life. What message does that send out to kids and how as a coach do I expain that it is wrong, plain wrong. I am truely saddend for a sport I love.

JPJ2 I think a vast majority of the coaches and players and referees and fans don’t understand what video replay would bring. How it would be implemented and how it would effect everything. I think they’d hate it fairly quickly and throw it out.

Maybe video replay will come, but it certainly won’t stay. Unless it turns into a different game, and then there’s a split between traditional football and the type that has replay.

Just think of the games that have instant replay, they all have very natural stoppages. Not football, it just simply doesn’t, it flows and it’s constant, that’s what makes it appealing.

I am with Fergus on this one. We have taken the game and made it like this, where people believe we must have instant replay because there’s soo much money and prestige at stake. It’s warped the beautiful game, and it should hold on to it’s roots while embracing change as well. There’s tons of changes you can make to the game that wouldn’t completely take it over and destroy it’s spirit.

I am sure all other players would have done the same. Henry had the opportunity to give a signal to the whole world of football that change in the game and its players is what’s necessary. When he had been honest, following his heart and informed the referee he made a handball, he could have created a global kickoff for fairplay. No more handgoals, no more injury fakes, no more ’schwalbes’, no more goals which are no goals…what a lovely game that would be!

Football associations and all players, have a look at yourself and make football the fairplay sport the world is asking for.

sick to my stomach reading the news this morning, for all i know the next time some HONEST irish/english bloke cheaing, I’m gonna have a figgin field day

SHAME,SHAME,SHAME
The game of football needs a video referee. He should be banned from the first round of the World Cup because he confessed to CHEATING. Fifa are too soft on their superstars.

was browsing around at the news and stumbled upon this

http://www.theoffside.com/europe/paul-scholes-with-the-best-handball-ever.html

blatant cheat, yes? surely he should be put hung to dry, even if he got red carded for it, right?

nope. nothing like that.

he’s an HONEST bloke that scholes. woo.

Thierry henry is a honourless scumbag like the rest of his compatriots where ever they are , where does he come from anyway? I thought most of the low class filth were actually in the stands during a soccer game but how wrong can ya be/ He will always be remembered as a cheating filth bag and rightly so

I think its very dissapointing to see all professional footballers condone this type of play. Its certainly not Fair Play – and FIFA should really be standing over what they stand for. Are France / Henry proud of how they made it to the World Cup? They shouldn’t be. I think its all to easy to blame the ref.

Where the ref and his supporting staff are unable to determine if the player deliberately handballed – why not ask the player? They are given the opportunity to state whether they handled the ball or not. If it turns out that they lie – they should be accountable. Alternatively linesmen behind the goal? This may be an alternative to using the “technology” and stopping the game.

Not only was the ball handled and scooped back in so he could direct to gallas, but before the two touch hand ball incident, the linesman missed the offside!

As an Ireland Supporter – Im truly dissapointed to be out in such a way.

Of course…

Well… I think that the referee and his team has been really bad in this decision! Henry clearly plays the ball with the hand, the referee in the left side os the field has direct vision to him, and don’t say a thing about the “Henry’s Divine Left Hand”…

In the 2000 European Championship, Portugal lost in the semifinal’s to France because of a “hand on the ball” caused by Abel Xavier, with a bad decision of the referee in my opinion… In World Cup 2006 the penalti that gave France access to the final was also really suspicious, and now France move’s to the World Championship, again with a bad decision from the referee team…

I think Ireland deserved to be there, playing the world championship… Not France…

For anyone who is defending thid as “part of the sport”, you should be ashamed. Since when do we as a race allow cheating? where do we accept it as “ah sure it always happens”. it will continue to ruin the sport until we put a stop to this. a replay is defo out of the question, as it sets a precedent that basically any game with a dodgy decision can be replayed, but Henry should be banned from the tournament, heavily fined. It’s akin to a sprinter taking performance enhncing drugs, as Henry’s use of his hands enhanced his performance.

Where has all decency in the world gone? this is the most high profile example of cheating in the modern era, and we are to brush it aside with the “ah well” camp?
also for anyone who says that they would do the same, you should be ashamed. would you lie an kill? where do you draw the line on your morality? would you actually derive pleasure from your medal?
sickened and disappointed by all who defend this.

What is more infuriating, that the linesman missed that there were players offside or the fact that Thierry celbrated the goal?
Bad enough to get it, but to celebrate it like that…

Hey all Bet your proud to be a Rugby man..
As they administer their rules much better than Soccer!

Video Judge

Sighting..

My view is Ireland has to take it gracefully and quickly drop the negatives as all told a team that was described as second best were magnificent.

As for Mr Henry – Will Gillette still want him advertising razors.. Clean Cut..
No Joking a side I think he should be sighted for un-gentlemanly behaviour and receive a six match ban.
Thus his team does goto a world cup but sadly he does not.

This sends a clear message out to players you cheat the referee and says if we see it later then you will pay the price.

Footballers go to inner city schools and tell kids work hard and play fair and respect yourselves and your elders and by the way if you can cheat you always win.. No that’s not good enough at 5 or 6 million euro a year – Ban him and mean what you say Mr Bladder & Mr Platini..

Stephen
Dublin Ireland

i decided to suggest a new rule fifa

There are circumstances when a caution for unsporting behaviour is required
when a player deliberately handles the ball, e.g. when a player:
• deliberately and blatantly handles the ball to prevent an opponent gaining
possession
• attempts to score a goal by deliberately handling the ball

wait a minute…………

My view is Ireland has to take it gracefully and quickly drop the negatives as all told a team that was described as second best were magnificent.

Replay the match: http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/archive/germany2006/news/newsid=27212.html

Or this only applies for Uzbekistan or Bahrain?

Surely this game has to be replayed, there is too much at stake for it just to be brushed off.

FAX number for FIFA! +41-43-222 7878

But I would like to point out that anyone that can read French will see that respect to the French people for their reaction of disgust to Henry’s actions, so for the people that France I hope that they go on to do well in the World Cup! I had a look at this link below that has some good football related Facebook Statuses for the World Cup in its Facebook Status Generator:

http://www.theisbook.com/status-generator/

Fair Play must shine through and FIFA have got a big message to send out now by banning Henry from the World Cup

American sport is awful to watch because of all the breaks for adverts, replays, time outs and god knows how many other breaks so ‘technology’ works for them; I watched a 60 minute American Football Match that lasted 3 hours, a 60 minute Ice Hockey match that also lasted 3 hours and I was sooo bored; let’s not compare apples and pears, football should not allow technology to ruin the pace, flow, fervor and dare I say it, talking points. What ever the pundits say, technology will not irradicate controvosy so don’t see it as a golden bullet. I am as agrieved as others about Henry’s crime (and that cheat Maradonna’s) but isn’t it fantastic to feel your blood boil over an injustice, don’t you just relish the moment of pay back 2,5 10 years later and do we ever forget such matters, no way. Henry, you cheated and we will not forget!!

At the end of the day Henry cheated and got away with it, true the ruling lies with the Ref and his linesman to help him out but sadly they didnt do their job.
Ireland hadn’t lost a game in the qualifying and only lost to France in Croke Park the week before so they stepped it up and performed brilliantly. they didnt deserve to go out like that, if it went to penalties and we lost then fair enough but we didnt get that chance thanks to some cheating and terrible Refereeing.

Also the Irish fans deserved more, they showed their true qualities even with the result, many other nations would have rippped up seats and ran riot over Paris after that Farce of a result. Its a loss for the World Cup not having the Irish there, they are the best Fans in the world by Far.

FIFA are also a hsower of corrupt businessmen, where do they get off bringing in the seeding for the playoffs. Its all about the money. Fair Play my Arse.

Professional, and sadly much of amateur sports and indeed all human pursuits, are filled with those that are looking out only for themselves and will do anything to get ahead. The saying goes that you are only guilty if you are caught. These things have a tendency to even out– perhaps the official should have called the penalty for France earlier in the match. Yes, the lack of a call was awful, and video replay with a challenge system as is used in the NFL would seem justified. Certainly, the player can be fined or banned from the World Cup.
However, it would be naive to suggest that cheating is not a part of this sport. As others have noted, would a goalkeeper admit that the ball had crossed the line, or a defender say that he had indeed tripped the attacking player? Obstruction is now an accepted part of a defender’s arsenal; grabbing shirts is rarely called either. The referees continue to be reluctant to give red cards for “professional” fouls that disrupt a clear threat to score.
Is all of this a terrible example for our youth and society in general? Of course, but I see little interest in changing that. As a “fan” our best weapon is not watching and letting the teams know why; but I don’t see that happening. But then again, how many predicted the velvet collapse of the iron curtain 20 years ago…

first of all lets give trappatoni the credit he deserves for getting ireland to play football that should have won the match.
then the obvious which no one seems to state..if duff had a right foot and keane could have finished his poor ono on one effort with given ,we wouldnt even be talking about this..plus the other shot from five feet away…ireland should have won 4-0..but they fell under pressure..yeah the ref made a mistake..but put the ball in the net and we dont have this conversation…so to all of you ireland fans..you r team has another four years to work on their finishing skills..haha,,dont need that many people from the uk in south africa anyway..ciao…FORZZA ITALIA

I, like most of our country, are still in a state of anger, shock and frustration at the gross injustice done to the wonderful performance of our national team last night in Paris.

One of FIFA’s values is supposed to be FAIR PLAY – where was it last night ? The shameful conduct of Henry just adds to a long list of cheating by French players over the years both in the PL (Robert Pires’s dive to get a penalty vs Portsmouth) and at international level (Henry’s dive to get a fee kick in 2006, which won the match vs Spain).

He must be taken to task by FIFA and penalised. And the match should be replayed. Cheats must not be let ruin our wonderful game.

Jacek: Zidane would not have led the team to win. That’s bullshit.
Alışveriş: Let’s see your country just “take it”.
To all those saying it’s part of the sport, you are a disgrace. That’s like saying because dying is part of life we shouldn’t help those who are bleeding to death in an alley.

Firstly forza napoli Ireland is not in the UK so you should really check before conveying to others your ignorance.

If Ireland had lost in a fair manner, myself and my fellow countrymen would not have had a problem but losing in this manner brings this entire sport into disripute.

His response to the matter sickened me even more, just shrugging it off as if the referee was at fault. Here is an example, is it alright for someone to rob a bank if they get away with it? The world would be a much better place if people admitted and apologised for their wrong doings and were punished for it. The logic used above applies for what he did during the Ireland v. France playoff.

I feel badly for the Irish as a whole, but also for Thierry Henry. I feel that it was a purely instinctual reaction and to say it tarnished his legacy is wrong in my opinion. I wrote an article about my feelings on it today.

http://arsenole.blogspot.com/2009/11/thierry-henry-reaction-world-cup-better.html

Everyone seems to be very hard on Henry for his violation that led to the goal. But, I will say that it looked like the intial contact with the ball was accidental and maybe out of reflex he used his hand to direct the ball to his foot. Yes it should have been called.

However, my problem (as a referee) is the call that was missed that led up to that play. The player that flicked the ball toward Henry was in an offside position and it should have been called. The center refree was in a poor position to make the handball call, and the AR for some reason didn’t see it either. This was a poor performace from the referees and the Irish have them to blame not Henry and the French team.

The fact France are even going to the World Cup makes a mockery of football. From FIFA changing the seeding rules, to Ireland being the only non-seeded team having to play their 2nd game Away from home to Ireland being by far & away the better team with the better fans over both legs & to all the cheating the French did, from elbowing the Irish players, to the 15 fouls Diarra pulled off without a single caution, to the cynical dive Anelka attemted to trick the ref with without being cautioned to the outrageous offside then double handball goal. The sport has never looked so ridiculous & he entire World Cup competition is a farce.

Please sign the disqualify France from the World Cup campaign at PetitionSpot & boycott FIFA until something is done & the game can regain an ounce of credibility:

http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/footballcheats

yes excuse my ignorance..i am ignorant towards irish football..i will enjoy the possibility of another star on our jersey..i think u can by them and stick them on yours..you guys lost your game not the refs or henry…enjoy your cold summer at home

WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH.

Look at the end of the day it sucks. Ireland played their hearts out and got nothing for it. France farted around and Henry manhandled the ball to his feet for a goal. It sucks but I would not expect Henry to say anything.

Is he wrong for wanting to win so bad? No. Is he inherently wrong for putting his hand up and keeping the ball in play? I would say no he is not because I’ve seen it before and we’ll all see it again. He is simply reacting in an instant. The only one that is wrong in this case, the one that is HONESTLY at fault, is the ref. Stop yelling at Henry for being a player with a strong desire to win. If he wasn’t we wouldn’t know his name as he wouldn’t be the superstar talent he is.

And yeah obviously the handball was not accidental. You can see him lightly tap it back into play for himself.

So again. Is it a shame? Yes it is. But it is not the player’s fault. Their are rules and the ref exists to enforce those rules. It will always be in the players’ interests to bend the rules and take advantage as much as possible. The ref is there to punish players when they break rules. If the ref sees no rule broken then the player is simply taking advantage.

Until they develop a camera replay system these kinds of things will always happen. We’ve all seen it many times before.

@ Richard: I’m very sorry for “forza napoli”’s words but please believe me if I tell you that not all italians are like him…
Ireland is a big country and yesterday shows that again…
I’ve ever looked at Tierry Henry as a big player but yesterday I saw a little man, the same of Domenech that always speaks of other countries soccer team as horrible but yesterday was only able to say nothing… Ah, what a positive examples for out youngest soccer players…

forzanapoli – I suggest that you stop your dad from shagging you because clearly it is affecting your outlook on life. In addition your mum is nothing but a sad whore

How dare some of you say “it’s not Henry’s fault”?!?!..he’s a CHEAT ! plain & simple. So is this the kind of example that FIFA wants to give to all the future football stars of tomorrow?.
And Just because this sort of crap keeps on happening does NOT make it ok and the fact that FIFA continue to let this sort of thing go unpunished is a complete disgrace.
I find it completely HYPOCRITICAL that Mr Blatter’s (& FIFA’s) stance is “FAIR PLAY” (!) … what a complete joke . The entire hopes of a nation were destroyed by a cheat.
Thank you Mr Blatter, your lack of leadership & justice make our beautiful game a complete and utter farce.

FIFA rottens the game. Appaling how its rules allow for behaviour of this type to go unpunished, rahter be rewarded. Repeating the game would be the minimum. Besides taking the fun from the game, it sends a message to a society that has in football players- strangely enough- some of its main role models, that cheating is fine, long as you don’t get caught. Situations this type would never get away in other sports that promote character and fairness, such as rugby. SImply put, FIFA is not interested fairness and having France in Africa is better for business.

Hi i’m french …
and as 80 % of french people, i ‘m ashamed and want to replay the game.
see for exemple http://www.lequipe.fr/comms/2009/11/20091117_201400_domenech-evacue-l-idee-d-une-der_0.html
http://www.lequipe.fr is the main french sport newspaper.
same for BFM TV : among them, 81 % of french doesn’t want to go to SA on e cheat. Personaly i’ll demonstrate at FFF, Paris on Saturday if opened. Irish, go on and don’t lose hope!

Geography and history lesson for ForzzaItalia- you’re obviously an ignoramous, the UK is a denotion for the United Kingdom to which the Republic Of Ireland has no part of- you dumb fuck

Totally agree with Scott. Sport isn’t always perfect and life isn’t always fair. Suck it up and move on. Players aren’t saints and we shouldn’t expect them to be. Referees are on the field to make those calls and they miss them all the time. Players don’t police themselves for a reason… because they wouldn’t do it fairly. How many players do you see petition the referee to make a call against themselves when they feel they’ve committed an infraction? Zero that’s how many. THIS WAS THE REF’S ERROR! Ireland were the better team and were harmed by a missed handball – agreed. Since when does that mean a game has to be replayed – that’s ludicrous! A certain Chelsea Barcelona CL semifinal comes to mind, as does Maradona’s hand of God. Did they replay those games? Exactly. Serve Henry with the punishment that would have come in the course of the game and move on.

im irish and if this had happened to any other country i would feel the same.cheating has to stop maradona got away with it in 86 23 years on and nothing has changed.thierry henry will have to live with this for the rest of his life.the world cup will be all about fair play the only fair play would be to ban henry from playing there the game has no place for cheats fifa must send out a strong message for the sake of the sport.

It is simple. Ideally you play by the rules as they are written down in the book of rules. But oh wait, this isn’t a computer game, it is a sport involving real people. Because of that it isn’t perfect, not by a long stretch. Players make decisions and Refs make decisions. Neither of their decisions is always going to be in line with your morals or feelings on the matter.

Video replay COULD be ok but the only way I think it could be done well is if there were officials watching the game via video the entire time and if they see something they could notify the ref. Having to stop and shit like in american football would be terrible. I love soccer (sorry i’m from the US) in part because there are no breaks in the pace, the game just flows and it is great to watch. I would rather it stay like that but have errors here and there then become a mess of commercial breaks and replays and call challenges and blah blah blah.

Thierry Henry! Vergognati ! Squalifica a Vita ! Partita da Ripetere!!!
Thierry Henry! Been ashamed! Disqualify to Life! Match to Be repeated!!!
Thierry Henry! Aie-toi honte! Disqualifie à la Vie! Match à Répéter!!!
Thierry Henry! Schämt sich! Disqualifiziere zu Leben! Spiel, von Wiederholen!!!

Handball is the great.

Thierry Henry acted disgracefully – how can FIFA let this happen?

Help support the replay of the game by visiting http://www.handofgaul.com and sign the petition – http://www.handofgaul.com/henry-keepy-uppy-game/

Thanks, Hand of Gaul

lol… hand of Gaul. No I don’t think every professional would have done the same as Henry. I think some of them would have actually tried to play the ball in a legal manner. You can tell that Henry intentionally decided to handle the ball.

Ryan – absolutely – he handled the ball twice, he’s also admitted it. Surely it’s just the same as taking drugs, as moving the goal posts, as diver.

Cheating is cheating.

Help us and sign the petition http://www.handofgaul.com/petition/

David Beckham now has his say on the handball http://www.handofgaul.com/blog/david-beckham-speaks-on-thierry-henry-handball/

I can’t wait for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. I think the U.S. team will have a good chance of advancing this time around. I pick Italy to win it all in 2010.

for ”forza napoli” ireland is not in the UK you stupid man. I guess stupid people say stupid things

Henry single handedly robbed Ireland of that game. FIFA should give Ireland a re-match.

i had a dream last night. henry didnt handball and the match went on to penalties….. france still won. oh wow.

I love Ireland as much as the next Irish guy, and I can’t believe that this stood. As someone above me said, it brings the whole game into question because had we lost fairly, sure, we’d be pissed but we wouldn’t be able to complain. But that’s obviously not the case. Having said that, the breaking of this rule is no different than breaking any other rule – and in this game, rules are broken all the time. Take simulation. People dive all over the place, and rarely is the diving player held accountable and carded simply because at times its difficult for a referee to distinguish between simulation and an actual foul. Same principle applies here. Thierry Henry handled the ball, and it resulted in a goal and the referee wasn’t in a position to see it, and thus it stood, and changed the result of the game. Diving player dives, gets a penalty, scores and changes the result of the game – same principle.

This isn’t an excuse for Henry, or a rant because I’m pissed Ireland lost. The point is that there is a lot that needs to be fixed as far as officiating in this beautiful game, to single out this event and blow it up to the proportion that it has been is simply unfair to Ireland, France, Henry, and the beautiful game in general.

THIERY HENRY the best!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I think it could be done well is if there were officials watching the game via video the entire time and if they see something they could notify the ref. Having to stop and shit like in american football would be terrible. I

it wasn’t Henry’s fault.Ireland should’ve score more to win,like my country…
anyway leave Tierry alone,allright?!

Ireland deserves a re-match. What has happened is a disgrace.

Hello,

Please help me get the word out, i have set up a “Thierry Henry Must Be Banned From World Cup” Petition. I plan to take it to FIFA. Every signature however i need alot of people to get the word out to family and friends.

Please advertise the link below:
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/2/thierry-henry-must-be-banned-from-world-cupThierry

Regards
Gavin McDonald

A cheat plain and simple come on FIFA do something for once,

John – Ireland.

We had them beaten

I think FIFA should hang their heads in shame if they do not replay this game. FIFA is all about fair play and no cheating. If this result stands it gives a bad example to young children who are playing football giving them the message that it is ok to cheat as if you are a big enough player and from a country who FIFA want in the world cup all is ok.

Are France afraid to replay the game? Do they think they are not good enough to beat the Irish? How can they go to the World Cup and hold their heads up when it was cheating that got them their?

As for Thierry Henry he should not be allowed to play in the World Cup as it cleary shows that he handled the ball and therefore should have been given a red card and should be banned from playing.

FIFA WAKE UP AND LEAVE US HAVE A REPLAY

Football players break the rules all the time, a good example is shirt pulling which happens all the time in freekicks and corners. Players will also claim throw ins, corners and offsides for the benefit of their team, whether it’s justified or not. Can you imagine a goalkeeper who wouldn’t claim the ball didn’t cross the goal line even if it did?

Cheating goes on in football all the time, players try to do everything they can for their team. If Henry is a cheater, then you could say that every other player is too. Or is it just wrong to cheat in a critical situation like this qualification?

Professional football isn’t fair play, the only goal is to win. It’s too bad but that’s the way it is.

It’s nnot that he did it (bad enough)it’s the lies afterwards. he d’t take responsibility for it, blaming the officials and sarcastically mocking hte interviewer asking him about owning up. His guilt was confirmed by thiiss.

Hi all,
Thierry Henry…is he really done a cheating?? No, he simple serve for his country….a world cup match is not a simple match…it is a match of life…it is life or death….he has simply tried to live…..if he asks ref to cancell the goal, do you people think his country men forgive him…answer is simple no and never….it is very much pathetic if your country does not forgive you…may be irish people give him hero’s welcome, but that is not at all welcome…..every one in France would point him as the traitor for which France has failed to qualify…this is not a friendly match….This is World Cup…This is WAR….

Henrys assertion that it was up to the ref to spot his cheating should be a timly reminder to his wife/girlfriend/boyfriend(well who knows)to be on your guard. The next time he “drops his hand” somewhere he shouldnt it will be your responsibility to catch him.

Well Fergus, that’s exactly how football is at the moment: players will break the rules when it helps and the ref is there to keep them in control. That can’t be surprise to anyone who follows football.

In every game there are many rule breaking occasions that the ref doesn’t see. I don’t undestand how this case is different, with the exception that it most definitely resolved the game.

My point is that it’s clearly the system that’s faulty, not single players. Or if you want real fair play you can point the finger at every player.

Simple. Suspend him for 5 games. Let’s see how they do without him.

Regardless of whether it’s happened before, that’s not the point. The point is, it needs to stop happening.

If there aren’t going to be video replays, then the referees must ask the player if he dived/handballed/cheated.

If the player admits to it, freekick given, punishment meted out, game goes on.

If the player lies and is found to have lied with video evidence, automatic 6 game suspension.

Would players still cheat? If they think they can get away with it, yes.
But would they think twice if it means they might miss the whole world cup? Probably.

Either way, at least some small measure of justice is done, even if it can’t change the result.

@arnab
Wrong. The french are ashamed of him.

87% of 4000+ participants in a poll by Le Monde said France did not deserve to qualify.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/djmagra/4117792389/

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1229198/Hand-devil-Thierry-Henry-slated-French-media-handball-punches-hole-Irish-World-Cup-dreams.html

Hey henry you such a cheater don’t you shame on youself?
This is your fairplay ha?
You admit that u used your hand but u still very hapy to do that
Hey if u want to use you hand why don’t you go to play basketball and don’t play soccer
I feel so sorry to ireland
Hey henry go fuck your self and don’t forget to use your hand all right?
and u said u sorry and why u did it?
i used to like you as a miracle player but now u r just a cheater.
I’m War from thailand

Can a player undermine a referee any more than he did?

“Yeah I cheated but I’m not a referee”

Really? That’s your response?

“Yeah, I raped her, but as her father you should be protecting her.”

It’s ridiculous. It’s bad enough to make a mockery of the rules, in a time where diving, stamping, and cheating are commonplace.

But to blame the referee for not catching him? If managers can get touchline bans for it, why should he get to play on the pitch?

Incidents like this are the reason players do not respect referees, because the referee who otherwise had a good match will not get to referee at the WC but Henry will get to play. Incidents like this legitimize the tactic of teams ganging up and surrounding the referee.

Replay could work following any goal. There is a brief stoppage in play anyway and review officials ‘in the booth’ could look over all aspects of the play – ball crossing line, offside, handballs, etc. – and communicate to on-field referees. If the review takes a minute or two longer the time can be added by the 4th official. No more interference than the stoppages for some players who roll on the pitch in mock agony.

Roy Keane has it right http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/international/article6925119.ece

FIFA should give Ireland a re-match.

I like his football very much because he plays with his brain but, after Irish match I want to say only one thing: “Henry, you are a thief!!!” It was a incredable game and Irish team was PERFECT and France does not deserve to be qualified. I could understand to play handball which is very normal but, after the goal and match only a thief can be happy like that (except all other French Players). I am very sorry as a real futbol and (old) Henry fan. Hoping that FIFA can find a way to accept Ireland into the worldcup.

Petition to have IRELAND Vs FRANCE REPLAYED!!

Petition to have IRELAND Vs FRANCE REPLAYED!!

http://www.noafricaforfrance.com

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!!!

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!!

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.

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.

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! =]

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.

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.

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

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/international/article6926036.ece

Even better!! http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1229815/France-star-Patrice-Evra-offers-Ireland-World-Cup-replay–PlayStation.html

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.

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.

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!!!!

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.