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- 2010 FIFA World Cup - football - French national team
Controversial goal helps France book ticket to South Africa
A controversial goal by William Gallas in extra time gave the French side its ticket for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa as les Bleus drew with Ireland 1-1 in the second leg of the play-off in Paris on Wednesday.
REUTERS - France captain Thierry Henry admitted he had handled the ball in the build-up to a controversial goal that sent France to the World Cup at the expense of Ireland on Wednesday.
Henry appeared to handle the ball twice before feeding defender William Gallas, who bundled home from close range on 103 minutes to give France a 1-1 draw in the return leg of their playoff and a 2-1 aggregate win.
The forward first stopped the ball from going out with his arm, then controlled it with his hand in a crowded penalty area and crossed for Gallas to give France the edge in extra time after they had struggled for most the game.
"Yes, there is handball but I am not the referee," Henry told reporters. "I'm in the box, there are two defenders in front of me. The ball bounced off my hand, the referee did not see it and I played on.
"It doesn't change anything to the fact that I'm happy we have qualified.
Ireland were devastated after missing out on the World Cup because of what coach Giovanni Trapattoni called a "great mistake" by Swedish referee Martin Hansson.
"I told the referee that it is possible to make great mistakes," Trapattoni told a new conference after the game at Stade de France. "It is a bitter evening."
Trapattoni said he felt the referee should have talked to his assistants and to Henry before awarding the goal.
"I am sad because the referee had time to ask the linesman and I am sure he should have asked Henry as well," the Italian said.
"All the European people saw the game and what happened. France played a good game in Dublin but this time we played better and over the two games we deserved to go to South Africa," Trapattoni added.
"NOT VALID"
France defender Sebastien Squillaci said he realised the decisive goal was not valid but said such incidents just had to be accepted.
"It's part of the game, it played in our favour tonight, maybe some other time it will play against us.
"Of course Ireland will not he happy but we are happy the referee awarded the goal. We're competitors and we're there to win. The goal may not be valid but we'll take it."
France, who won the first leg 1-0 at Croke Park on Saturday, indeed looked nervous and clumsy until the closing stages while Ireland kept pushing and had the better chances but were denied by a string of great saves by France keeper Hugo Lloris.
France coach Raymond Domenech, whose job was on the line, said he had not seen the controversial goal properly.
"I didn't see the replay," he said. "From where I was, I couldn't see anything. All I know is the referee awarded the goal."
Domenech, under heavy criticism since France's Euro 2008 flop, praised Ireland for a spirited display.
"I would like to pay tribute to the Ireland team and to their fans," he said. "It is regrettable in a way that they did not qualify because they would have deserved to go to the World Cup"
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Comments (84)
FIFA should stop advertising
FIFA should stop advertising they stand for fair play in soccr they are blatant liars and hypocrites
Casio Databank
FIFA should stop advertising
FIFA should stop advertising they stand for fair play in soccr they are blatant liars and hypocrites
Henry's handball
Fortune does not favour the brave, fortune favours the cheats. Platini and the French Football Association and players hang your heads in shame. You have betrayed all fairminded sports lovers throughout the world because of your vested and commercial interests.The very words that your motto espouses is as empty and hollow as your hearts and souls
cheating in soccer
if fifa dont replay the they are rotton to the core;
Not the French publics fault guys
I'm Irish, I get the feeling a lot of the other posters here are Irish too, judging by the sentiment! I agree with and understand how you feel about Henry, the French team, the FFF, FIFA, Christ even the French president was snide and gloating with his post match comments. The majority of the French public have joined us in our disgust about the situation, don't attack them or their culture please. Henrys actions last night do not represent a French mindset as some people have said. I would like to see the French public put pressure on their football association to have a rematch though, that would be the fair way to go.
you can go to the cup but you
you can go to the cup but you arent in it completly if u cheat to get there
Frances Goal
It was totally clear that he handles the ball. The ref should have called it. The ref should be questioned of his motives. Clearly he was the instrument of the win, not the players.
Henry Hand Ball
Surely France must be concerned about the negative feelings been broadcast around the world regading the France team cheating. This match must be replayed in the interest of fair play and the French must respond to Irish requests for a replay. If its not replayed FIFA Fairplay is a joke. Barry, Dublin, Ireland
France - Ireland
That's why FIFA has the power to order the repetition of the game, because it's confirmed that the goal was preceded by hand touch. This is not America ice HOCKEY, where the referees do what ever they want!
John Guerrinha
Canada
cheating in football
henry and fifa are CHEATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Henry is a crook and FIFA as well
It is hilarious to see the lying scumbag Squillaci say that the goal just had to be accepted. In every other sport other than where that crook Blatter is involved, cheats are punished severely when found out. The Olympic 1500 men's race for example. Yet FIFA refuse to punish their crooked referees and crooked players. Says everything about how blatant their fraudulent attitude to sportsmanish and honesty is.
CHEATING FRENCH
BIASED REPORTING BY FRENCH. ANYWAY YOU LOOK AT IT YOU HAVE CHEATED YOUR WAY INTO THE WORLD CUP AND THERE IS NO GLORY IN THAT
Football
The French cheated and they don't deserve to be in the world cup in South Africa.
Cheats
France have cheated their way to the World Cup - be very ashamed!
France have cheated their way
France have cheated their way into the World Cup. It's an absolute disgrace and the game should be replayed.
Conspiracy
FIFA must be held accountable. They thought portugal, germany and france would automatically qualify. They didn't cos they simply weren't good enough so they brought in this seeding to give them an advantage. Its all based around money and ratings. There is too much at stake in professional football these days whether its premier league or serie a etc.
Henry has never changed. Dived and moaned his way through his premiership career. If I was Richard Dunne I wouldn't have allowed him sit beside me on the pitch at the end of the game and I can guarantee you the only way I would left that pitch was for a red card for hitting the ref.
And I have to laugh at Domenech "I didn't see the replay," "From where I was, I couldn't see anything. All I know is the referee awarded the goal." How many times have you heard that reaction from a manager after game being interviewed about a controversial decision! Do they not have huge tv screens in the stade??
cheaters
cheats never win
A REPLAY IS A MUST
IM IN IRELAND AND WATCHED THE IRELAND V FRANCE MATCH AND SAW HENRY HANDLING THE BALL NEVER MIND THAT 2 OTHER FRENCH PLAYERS WERE 'OFF SIDE'... IT LOOKS TO THE WHOLE WORLD THAT EVEN BEFORE THIS MATCH WAS PLAYED, IT WAS DECIDED THAT A WORLD CUP MUST HAVE FRANCE IN IT...A 'TOP' TEAM?? SO IRELAND WAS NEVER 2 WIN BUT THEY FOUGHT SO HARD AND FRIGHTENED THE HELL OUT OF THE FRENCH SIDE... THE REF THOUGHT THIS WAS THE ONLY WAY TO GET FRANCE THROUGH..HENRY AND THE WHOLE FRENCH TEAM SHOULD BE ASHAMED.. THATS NO WAY TO BE PROUD OF HEADING TO THE NEXT STAGE.. A REPLAY IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO.. AND LETS SEE WHO COMES OUT ON TOP!
France Ireland Match
As an Irish supporter I am sad at not qualifying but we cannot change result now. However may I tell you about a young boy, an Irish supporter, I met after the match who was very upset. I asked if he was so upset because of Ireland not qualifying. He said I am sad but I am upset at Henry. He is my football hero, I have his posters on my bedroom wall. Why would he do such a thing. I did not know what to say to this child. Any ideas Thierry Henry?
henry dishonoured
It is a shame to see such a classic player disgrace his good name and destroy his good image before the true footballing fans the world over. Its a pity Henry.
Dublinirishfan
Lets be honest there is no Fairplay at all in football anymore in any of the big games, , the signs the children carry out before games should read win at all costs !! and cheating diving and putting the ball in the net by any means possible allowed as long as the ref dont see it!! but the television cameras always do! stevy wonder could see what happened last night was wrong and its so ovious in replays !! As a sport we continue to have these controversal decisions in big games. And the world cup next year will have more of them too as football is still in the dark ages!! Im gutted and Henry is my hero as an Arsenal suporter but i dont blame him,he reacted and wanted to win and should have got a yellow card , I blame fifa for lack of technology to rid the game of diving cheats and big game decisions in leagues all over the world the ref has missed, champions leagues and world cups games continue to have moments like this too and a simple solution with the millions of tv cameras around would be to use them , its that simple ! I wonder would trapitoni have let frane score if it would have been ourselves who had handled it? i think so , I wish France all the best as they has some fantastic players and are great to watch but they where lucky and they know it,sometimes the little teams close the gap and i hope we get to euro 2012 at least! but sometime has to change so this wont happen again!! I hope Platini is happy man and Fairplay my arse!!
cheat
cheaters will always cheat
France sans honneur
Domenech useless, get rid of him quick.
Ireland played France off the pitch, aller le vert!!!
For France the world cup is over before it begins............
Henry = CHEAT
Disgracful cowardly cheats. Henry should be banned from football for life.
Ireland France game
Last nights game was grossly unfair! The french goal was stolen by Henry and the linesman for not speaking up as well as the ref for not looking into it more by discussing it with both parties before giving it away! The Irish team should not of taken this and stopped play and protested by sitting on the pitch,and with no doubt would the Irish fans would of supported them! Its a disgrace to International football!
World Cup Cheating
Why are cheats greatly rewarded instead of being punished? Henry, whom I have always respected, clearly handled the ball twice to enable France to reach the World Cup Finals. FIFA are again seen to be weak by not taking any action.
Since referees are increasingly making costly mistakes, why can't FIFA follow other sports and use video evidence for all important matches. Damien Kelly
Cheats!!!
The french were never liked before.....now they are hated!!!!!
Miserable Henry, miserable France and miserable FIFA
What a disgrace for football! The game should be replayed and Henry should be disciplined. The miserable UEFA and FIFA sites didn't even mention a handball, shame on you! And don't forget that it wasn't just the handball, it was a clear offside! If i would be a French, i would be more than embarrassed.
FAIR PLAY ?????? FIFA=FARCE
FAIR PLAY ?????? FIFA=FARCE
Henry's handball
I am so disappointed to see that such a talent like Henry who did not shine during the game had to go through handball to save his team .I wish he had fought like any men for that victory and not use such degrading manners. It is sad for the world and for the exampl. He blamed The great Zidane for his header when they played Italy now he did worse by using his hands to qualify his team.
Henry, you are no more the great ..you have turned into a villain.
Thierry's Hand
I've always admired Thierry Henry. However, his very obvious and deliberate controlling of the ball with his hand has tarnished his reputation considerably and also that of the French team. I have no doubt at all that he fully regrets his actions and the fact that he will be forever associated with such an underhanded (the complete opposite of fair play) act. The French have been waxing lyrical about how they are the better team from a skillful and technical point of view. Last night they were second rate, passionless, disjointed and could only secure their S.African trip by cheating. Perhaps it now time that Henry quits Europe for the USA to end his playing days playing second rate soccer, as clearly this is the level he is now at!!!!!! CHEAT!
france v ireland
Henry says the ball touched his hand. No Henry played the ball twice with his hand. FRANCE enjoy and do well in world cup but understand Henry is a cheat
France Match
It would not surprise me if Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini were in the french dressing room with a bouquet of flowers for Thierry Henry.For all the great achievements he did in football,he will now be remembered for this blatant piece of cheating.
France V Irleand
where is the sportsmanship & integrity of the French Football Association, in the essence of honest, fairness & respect they should offer to replay the game against Ireland. I am avery ordinary but extremley proud Irish woman and I have always admired Thierry Henry but now all I see is a "Cheat", and Cheating has no place in sport. Brigid O'Donnor, co Liemrick Ireland
i wonder what if it was the other way round
Thierry Henry is a disgraceful cheat just like Maradona and it will leave a similar taste in the mouths of soccer fans if it was Kevin Doyle that did it you would all be up in arms. What a disgrace you all are trying to defend such blatant cheating. Henry is a disgrace and should be banned from the world cup which is a world stage that does not need liars/cheats
Henry
Cheat, plain and simple
Henry est une fraude.....
Henry est une fraude que nous ne devrions pas aller à la coupe du monde ..... Irlande désolée...!! It is better to win with fair play... sorry Ireland.
henry is an inscincere cheat
Then France have won by cheating.
thierry henry
he will be known forever as the "thief of paris"
Thierry Henry has had a great
Thierry Henry has had a great career but will now be remembered forever for a blatant act of cheating.
Cheats
Cheats....
french cheats
the french soccer team is a disgrace. henry is a disgrace. fifa is a disgrace. the 2010 world cup is already comprimised and a farce.
Henry The Cheat
All of France should be ashamed of Henry this morning and he needs to apologise to the Irish people!
cheat
the ball didnt hit henry's hand he caught the ball fooled the 2 line man nad the ref have no idea they didnt see it, your a cheat henry all of europe see what you ar and the french team, the french team ar a disgrace
Fifa are the cheats here.
Fifa are the cheats here. They seeded the play offs, giving the favoured few a seond bite at the cherry. Then their corrupt officals cheat Ireland to get fifa it's disired result. France have done nothing to be proud of, Diara digraces himself and now henry. How many times have we heard henry complain about ref's? He's not saying much now.
Dodgy Fifa
Even the news articles on fifa.com don't mention a hand ball
Hand Ball
This was a pretty hollow victory, FIFA got their wish !!! France will humiliate themselves in So Africa if this is the best they can do to win.
It's a shame that the French
It's a shame that the French soccer team had to win by cheating. Was it worth it? Had Henry admitted to the ref that he handled the ball (twice) and the goal should be disallowed, he would have at a stroke brought a level of honour and integrity to the game and to his country and to himself. Instead, the gamesmanship and diving on display was a disgrace to France. For years to come when I see the French team play I will be reminded of this cheating. It will be a long time before I watch an international again.
"Henry's pass, however, came
"Henry's pass, however, came after the ball came off off his hand..."
Actually he deliberatley handled the ball. Twice. It would be illegal in basketball, never mind soccer. Poor form, and shows Henry lacks any class whatsoever.
Henry cheating
For a player of Henry's stature it is extremely disapointing to see him do such a thing. Video ref must be introduced to the game to stop unfair results!
I am embarrased to see the team go through in such a way.
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