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Saturday November 21, 2009

Replay will be the fairest solution, says Henry

LONDON: Thierry Henry said a World Cup qualifying replay between France and Ireland would be “the fairest solution” to the handball controversy surrounding the match.

Henry handled the ball in the build-up to William Gallas’ decisive goal in Wednesday’s 1-1 draw in Paris, a result that sent France through to the World Cup Finals in South Africa next year at Ireland’s expense.

“I am not a cheat and never have been,” the French forward said in a statement issued on his behalf yesterday.

“It was an instinctive reaction to a ball that was coming extremely fast in a crowded penalty area.

“I have never denied that the ball was controlled with my hand. I told the Irish players, the referee and the media this after the game.

“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.

“Of course the fairest solution would be to replay the game, but it is not in my control. There is little more I can do apart from admit that the ball had contact with my hand leading up to our equalising goal and I feel very sorry for the Irish.”

Earlier yesterday world soccer’s governing body FIFA said they had rejected the Football Association of Ireland’s appeal to replay the match. — Reuters

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