Source: Daily_Mail
Ireland legend Houghton fumes at 'disgraceful' FIFA chief Sepp Blatter
THAT handball: Thierry Henry sets up the French winner against Ireland[LNB]Ray Houghton has branded FIFA president Sepp Blatter ' a disgrace' and accused him of ridiculing the Irish public after laughing at the request for the Republic of Ireland to be the 33rd team at the World Cup finals.[LNB]Blatter and the executive committee chuckled as he announced this and Houghton, who won 73 Irish caps, said: 'What he's doing is taking the mickey out of the Irish public as if they don't really matter. [LNB]'It's a disgrace. They were laughing at the Irish public which is shocking. The players worked so hard for two years to get to the World Cup and then some fellow's laughing about it and he's the head of FIFA. [LNB]Fury: Houghton [LNB]'I couldn't tell you what he does ... but this underlines how he has not led FIFA well. He's a man who does what he wants''I can' t believe he's in the position he is. When you're looking for leadership qualities and someone to make a stand...what's going to happen to Thierry Henry? Nothing. [LNB]'What we're saying now is that you can cheat and score and it's alright. That sends out the wrong message to the kids and what we need is someone to say 'this is not going to happen.'[LNB]Ex-Liverpool , Aston Villa and Fulham midfielder Houghton added: 'I think had it been England involved it would have been very similar to Ireland because FIFA don't think too highly of the English. [LNB]...and for my next number, here's a tribute to Charles Aznavour: FIFA president Sepp Blatter has been accused of mocking Ireland over the Thierry Henry handball incident [LNB]'Blatter's quick to criticise Premier League clubs for spending too much money but I didn't hear too much when Real Madrid spent £80 million on Ronaldo and £60 million on Kaka. Blatter didn't say the Spanish were spending too much.[LNB]'If it was France, Germany or Spain and certainly Brazil or Argentina there would have been mayhem. You only have to look at what they did to the play-off seedings. [LNB]'The biggest tournament in the world and they left it until three weeks before the play-offs to decide there would be seeds.[LNB]'When you look at the way he's treated Ireland and the competition it underlines how he has not led FIFA particularly well. He's a man who does what he wants even though I couldn't tell you what he does. To be ridiculed twice, laughing at the Irish after the seedings change, is shocking.'[LNB] FIFA president Sepp Blatter backs Thierry Henry over 'hand of Gaul'Blatter to add extra referees at 2010 World Cup as FIFA probe Henry stormMARTIN SAMUEL: One rule for Thierry Henry, another for defendersHandball Henry is not a cheat, says Beckham as storm surrounds starTrapattoni fumes: Handball murdered us... and what have I done to Blatter? VIDEO: After Thierry Henry, enter 'Thierry' Henrique with the most blatant handball in football historyVIRALS: Thierry Henry's cheating hand suffers at the hands of Internet jokers [LNB] Explore more:People:Thierry HenryPlaces:Fulham, Liverpool, Republic of Ireland, Ireland, Brazil, Spain, Argentina, France, United Kingdom, Germany
