Thierry Henry took a page out of Diego Maradona's book to help his French side reach World Cup Qualification on Wednesday, when a Florent Malouda free kick was held from going behind for a goal kick by a blatant yet uncalled handball committed by Henry. Henry was then able to touch the ball onto the head of William Gallas for the winning goal during Extra Time in the 2nd Leg of France's home and home playoff series with Ireland. The Irish, who had fought valiantly away from home, in Paris, to level the aggregate score at 1 through a Robbie Keane goal in the 33rd minute, felt robbed by the referee's decision to allow the goal.
Watching matters first hand, I felt there were several shocking things about the play that needed to be addressed. First off, the ball was touched onto Henry by an offside French Player. Secondly, Henry was seemingly in an offside position himself, when he played the ball. So three officiating errors occurred of this free kick. What is with the current state of affairs that so many critical call are going wrong? We had problems at the World Series, horrible collegiate officiating, and now this?!? That argument is for another day.
I am glad to see the the Irish F.A. are challenging for the match to be replayed. They won't get it, as the precedence in these matters is all Refereeing decisions are final, but I'm glad to see them call out Fifa and the French F.A., whom by the way have already admitted it was handball. Henry himself admitted it was Handball.
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