Henry blames referee for Ireland handball
Thierry Henry blames referee for allowing his handball that saw France qualify for World Cup ahead of Ireland
Also In The News
|
By Matt Hallam. |  |
Thursday, 19, Nov 2009 05:04
By Matthew Champion.
Thierry Henry has insisted the referee is to blame for his handball that led to Ireland being denied a place at the World Cup.
The former Arsenal striker clearly controlled a free-kick with his arm and hand to set up William Gallas to score an extra-time equaliser that saw the Irish defeated on aggregate at the Stade de France.
Ireland's players vociferously protested the goal at the time, amazed that the Swedish referee Martin Hansson and his assistant had not seen the blatant handball.
After the final whistle Henry consoled Ireland defender Richard Dunne, later revealing he had told the Aston Villa centre-back it had been a handball.
"I told Dunne. He said the same to me, 'you're not the ref'. That's why the players did not come to me, that's why they went to the referee," the 32-year-old said.
"You can clearly see the opportunity. Sebastien Squillaci went to jump for the ball with two Irish players and I'm behind him. The next thing I know the ball hit my hand, my arm even. It was right in front of me, I played it.
"The ref allowed it and that's a question you should ask him."
The unconcealed and deliberate nature of Henry's handball has led to comparisons with Diego Maradon's infamous "hand of God" goal that knocked England out of the World Cup in 1986.
Dunne was blunt in his assessment of Henry's words later. "It doesn't make me feel any better," he said. "We were cheated."
He added that "yet again the big decisions have gone for the bigger team," suggesting that Fifa would "probably be happy" with the turn of events.
Ireland captain Robbie Keane, whose 33rd minute strike sent the tie into extra-time after a 1-0 win for France in the first leg at Croke Park, said Henry had "almost caught [the ball] and walked into the net with it.
"He's an absolutely top player and has been for a long time, but it was a clear handball," the Tottenham Hotspur striker said.
"He actually dragged it in from going out. I wouldn't expect it from anybody."
Irish manager Giovanni Trapattoni said after the match: "I am sad because the referee could have asked his linesman and Henry also. I'm sure he could have asked Henry to confirm, but it was not done. I'm sure if he would have asked Henry, he would admit it."