I don't cheat, Henry insists
I don't cheat, Henry insists
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Zinedine Zidane clearly revelled in reprising his role as the chief orchestrator of France's attacking threat on the world stage as they saw off Spain in the final second round match of the World Cup. |  |
Wednesday, 28, Jun 2006 05:28
Thierry Henry has defended himself amid frenzied cheating criticism for his alleged over-reaction to a challenge from Carlos Puyol during France's second round defeat of Spain in Cologne last night.
The Arsenal striker collapsed in a heap, holding his face, after Puyol's second-half challenge, although TV replays showed contact had been made between Puyol's shoulder and Henry's chest.
Puyol and Spain coach Luis Aragones blasted Henry for cheating and trying to con the referee into sending the Spanish centre-half off.
They also condemned Henry as his controversial action resulted in a free kick being awarded to France from which Patrick Vieira headed home to put Les Bleus 2-1 ahead and through to the last eight.
But an unrepentant Henry responded to the criticism by fuming: "I don't cheat. People can say whatever they want to say but if any team has been cheated since the beginning of the tournament it's France."
Commenting on the actual incident, he added: "Look at the replay, their left-back Mariano Perina was going to take the ball and Puyol came across me and blocked me. Puyol came up to me afterwards and apologised so how is that cheating?
"I don't know why Puyol cut across me, but he did. If that's basketball that's a good block, but we're not playing basketball. In my head I'm not a guy who does go down or cheats."