STILL AN ARSENAL AND FOOTBALL LEGEND

Anyone see the France – Ireland game? What a game it was, I wasn’t too sure who I wanted to win that match but what a game it was and what spirit the Irish showed. A French TV station had Mr. Wenger, I couldn’t help but hear him say “Lloris – superman” and you can imagine the thoughts that came to my head regarding the lack of a superman keeper at said managers club.

Thierry Henry, French captain, highest goal scorer in French history, highest goal scorer in Arsenal history, Arsenal legend, French legend and football legend has now been labelled a cheat.

What Henry did was bad; but there are refs in the game for a reason; if players are meant to start admitting to fouls and foul play; why don’t we forget refs and just let the players’ honesty become the ref. Let Rooney say I dived against Arsenal to end their unbeaten run; Steven G shouldn’t have taken or scored the penalty against Birmingham, John HONESTY Terry handling the ball whenever he so pleases admitting as much and awarding a penalty against Chelsea; silly isn’t it?

The British and Irish fans always want to take the moral high ground; of course they don’t cheat; if Keane’s handball wasn’t seen by the ref and he subsequently went on the score, the Irish would be calling for a replay and would be calling Keane a cheat; right?

FIFA are to blame for all these for not doing more or rather sitting with their arms crossed while technology takes giant leaps that could have positive effects on the game. The tactless excuse of the negative effect this would have on the low levels is just shameful; games like rugby haven’t suffered at the grass root because the top end have introduced technology. Games with such high stakes surely should have every element to reduce as much doubt in the final result.

Any player would have done what Henry did; it was instinctive; it’s human nature, at a certain point our desire to win overcomes us and in those few nano-seconds they did overcome Henry. The replays that go on and on make it seem as if it was premeditated, no it wasn’t.

If the ref saw the incident and made the decision that Henry had handled the ball, he would have given a free kick to Ireland and warned Henry or cautioned him; not even a red card.

I could go on to list players that have gained advantage for their teams (including ROONEY) but that’s no way to defend the man.

Henry will not be remembered by this incident 10 years from now; but will be remembered instead for the great goals and all the great moments he brought to Arsenal, Barcelona and France. The Irish might not like him – he did score the goal that denied them a place at the last world cup – but who cares; even they know he’s a legend and one they would remember.

On a light hearted side (if you’re not Irish); earlier this year the world handball championship took place in Croatia; Guess who won the tournament!!! Oh and guess who the Olympic champions of handball are!!! See it was just basic French instinct from Henry.