PARIS (LinkParis.com) – French soccer superstar Thierry Henry has put France in the 2010 World Cup. Should they be there?
Watch the entire video below to see Mr. Henry’s handball last night. The goal you’ll see put France into the World Cup and knocked Ireland out:
After the game, Mr. Henry stated that “the ball hit my hand and I continued to play. The referee didn’t blow his whistle and there was a goal. Obviously I would have preferred that things panned out differently but I am not the official. I do not think we have stolen qualification.” It is clear from the video that Mr. Henry not only touched the ball, but moved it as well. For non soccer fans curious about the brouhaha this has generated, a note. You can’t use your hands in soccer. 8 year old soccer players know this, and so does Henry.
This is not the first time a hand has played a starring role in a high level soccer game. In 1986, Argentina was playing England in the World Cup semi-finals. They won by two, but the first goal, scored by Diego Maradona, was a head shot with an “assist” by Diego’s own hand. According to www.history.com, the “ball appeared to be hit into the goal off of Maradona’s head, but was in fact punched in with his left hand, a violation that the referees failed to call.” In 2005, Maradona finally admitted he punched the ball in.
Henry of course has admitted he used his hand. Still, the game’s outcome is set in stone, potentially tainting any French win that is to come.
