Comments on: Don’t Blame Thierry Henry or the Referee

By: Douglas C

Douglas C — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 14:17:24 +0000

I agree that one cannot blame Henry. I live in the US and had no vested interest in the outcome of the game. If players did not cheat, there would be no referees. FIFA should have stood up and made a more fair decision to the obvious missed call.

By: Philip

Philip — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 20:01:43 +0000

Cheating is cheating. If i rob a car i cant blame the cops for not catching me at it. Henry is privileged beyong belief because fans buy tickets, cable tv etc. He owes us an honest and sportmanlike game. Im Irish and Im glad that it happened at that end of the pitch because it would have disgusted me at any end. At least i dont have guilt on top of disgust. Id hate to be French right now because Henry has left them feeling both.

By: Skippy

Skippy — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:48:17 +0000

There is no doubt football is the world’s game … but detractors always talk about diving and other unsportsmanlike behaviour. Henry’s deliberate double handball is not only a blight on his career, the french, but the game itself.
Eduardo’s dive, Rooney’s dive as mentioned in your blog, along with Henry’s and Maradona’s infamous handballs are just as bad as each other … bottom of the barrell.
As an Aussie, I feel for the Irish – Italian Fabio Grosso took a dive in the 2006 World Cup r16 … the penalty knock Australia out of the World Cup.
But I agree with the challenge system … but until then this match must be replayed – and may the best team win.

By: Anthony

Anthony — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:53:54 +0000

Thiery handled the ball. Fact.
The Irish team played better in the first and most of the second half. Fact.
Yet, with all the chances the Irish team has had, none but once could they put the ball into the net.
Honestly, I think the Irish team has no one to blame but themselves.
How many times had chances came and they shoot wide or high? If only one serious finishing power can be grabbed, the single away goal could require twice for Thiery or anyone to equalised.
Noel-John and James, you talked about blaming, cheating and confessing. If the tables were turned, and Keane handled the ball (as per three times in the same match) and netted those, would you be complaining here?
The Irish team let you down. Not Thiery. Not the French.
If playing as such, with both sides lacking in finishing power, I doubt either side could go past the round of 16’s in South Africa.
The Irish team just exit a little bit earlier.
So sorry for your lost.

By: jamie

jamie — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:17:04 +0000

Very poor article indeed.

Ireland should be at world cup / henry is a cheat / henry could have admitted on the pitch and didn’t / liar / No morales and purely unfair. THE GAME HAS TO BE REPLAYED. how can it not??? where have the morales gone?? Henry has ruined his fantastic reputation – GOOD. will he enjoy packing his bags for the world cup – NO. does he feel good about the win – NO. Is he embarrased – YES i bet he doesnt watch his shameful celebration and conduct too often!. shameful and career breaking.
He will pay the price for this internally and so he should.

By: Noel-John

Noel-John — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:38:20 +0000

I’m Irish and I’m a football fan. To say to me to not blame Henry is absolutely ridiculous. We have every right to blame Henry and every right to feel cheated because we were quiet frankly and it’s of no comfort that other footballers would of done the same I’m sure your right about most playing for guts and glory but most footballers wouldn’t handle the ball TWICE in the first place. Thierry Henry has insulted me and my nation so naturally I’m agitated and angry at him and if it was England I doubt this article would exist.