“If we had qualified in this manner, I wouldn’t be happy.”

In the big scheme of things it’s just a football match, but to be denied a berth in the world Cup because of such a blatant handball is nearly as tough as being knocked out by a blatant handball. On the bright side he’s not claimed it was the hand of god that allowed him to score.

The referees decision is final, the rules clearly state that. Giovanni Trapattoni (Irish manager) understands that mistakes get made and is being rather stoic about the whole thing. He has questioned how the ref was selected for the game, but has not really condemning anyone and is coming across as a class act.

Thiery Henry “I will be honest, it was a hand ball, but I’m not the ref. I played it. The ref allowed it.”

My favorite quote so far comes from the head of the Irish FA John Delaney

“If we had qualified in this manner, I wouldn’t be happy.”

Maybe true, but you’d still be going and would be doing what the French are doing, keeping quiet.

Unfortunately for Henry (as it is for Maradona, thought Maradona has not exactly helped his cause since the hand of god incident) when people look back on his career, it will be this they remember, not the great player he was and just because the referee and his linesmen missed it doesn’t mean it didn’t happen. Given saw it, Gallas saw it, the defenders saw it and it’s on Youtube for the rest of the world to see. And even though they are quiet about it, all of France saw it’s captain and senior player cheat.