Since Ireland's plea to be included in the 2010 World Cup has been ignored, I guess FIFA thinks it must find a scapegoat for the absurd events that transpired in the Nov. 18 qualifier between France and Ireland.It now looks as if Thierry Henry will shoulder the brunt of FIFA's wrath for his handball. On Wednesday, the international governing body of soccer released a statement saying that the Frenchman will be "investigated" by FIFA's disciplinary committee. FIFA President Sepp Blatter has stated that it is an investigation, not a punishment, that will be carried out.
Henry has openly admitted using his hand.
"I will be honest, it was a handball. But I’m not the ref,” Henry was quoted as saying in a Nov. 18 story in The Globe and Mail. “I played it. The ref allowed it. That’s a question you should ask him.”
Not much more can be expected. Just like any player, he was trying to do everything he could to help his team win. More blame should fall on the match officials.
I'm getting tired of hearing FIFA's excuses for the handball incident. Just let it go. Forget it. If you aren't willing to let France and Ireland replay their match then just say the officials screwed up and move on. Why would Henry be punished? His handball was blatant, yet he never tried to cover it up. He issued multiple statements apologizing for his actions. FIFA's attempts at justice are dragging on. I just hope a decision on Henry's investigation can be made soon so the world of soccer can put this on the back burner.
2 comments:
Definitely agree with you... this is bullshit. As an Ireland fan, I am extremely disappointed at how everything went down and feel completely cheated. I want FIFA to do everything and anything that they can to get Ireland in the world cup, as they clearly deserve to be a contender by the way that they played in two separate games against one of the most successful countries in recent international play. However, investigating Henry is in no way, shape, or form going to help Ireland achieve what they deserve. This just ads insult to injury because they're still not going to be in the World Cup, and if any punishment is brought against Henry it will just make the World Cup that much less exciting. Henry is a great player and, like you said, has apologized and completely owned up to the handball, but even as an Ireland fan I can't be mad at him for it. He did everything he could to make sure his team got in to the World Cup, just like I would expect of Ireland. The only difference is, FIFA allowed it to stand even when everyone in the world knows that Ireland was cheated.
- Ryan Mac
Well put my friend.
-Pete
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