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Thierry Henry calls for replay of Ireland - France game

Says replay would be fairest solution to soccer row

By
KELLY FINCHAM,
Irish Central.com Editor

Published Friday, November 20, 2009, 12:19 PM
Updated Friday, November 20, 2009, 12:46 PM

 

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Thierry Henry: Calls for controversial match to be replayed, says he is not a cheat
Thierry Henry: Calls for controversial match to be replayed, says he is not a cheat

Handball villain Thierry Henry has called for the controversial Ireland/France game to be replayed.

The French star striker said a replay would be the "fairest solution" after his handball set up the goal which dumped Ireland out of the World Cup.

Heny insisted he was not a cheat and said his handball had been an "instinctive reaction."

"The fairest solution would be to replay the game but it is not in my control," he said after FIFA turned down Ireland's request for a replay.

"Naturally I feel embarrassed at the way that we won and feel extremely sorry for the Irish who definitely deserve to be in South Africa," Henry added.

"I have said at the time and I will say again that 'yes' I handled the ball. I am not a cheat and never have been. It was an instinctive reaction to a ball that was coming extremely fast in a crowded penalty area.

"As a footballer you do not have the luxury of the television to slow the pace of the ball down 100 times to be able to make a conscious decision.

"People are viewing a slow motion version of what happened and not what I or any other footballer faces in the game. If people look at it in full speed you will see that it was an instinctive reaction."

Henry's fellow countryman and former boss, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, said France should offer to replay the game regardless of the FIFA decision.

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Posted by McNabb1966 on Nov 20, 2009, 07:06 PM EST
Wow, how honorable of him to suggest that the match be replayed...AFTER FIFA has already said it ain't gonna happen. Sorry Thierry, no amount of soap and water and false sentiment will be enough to remove the stain from your HAND OF SHAME!
 


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