Source: Daily_Mail
Thierry Henry let off by FIFA 'bottlers' after ruining Ireland's World Cup dream
Ireland last night accused FIFA of 'bottling it' after they let World Cup cheat Thierry Henry off scot free.[LNB]France's former Arsenal striker cost the Republic a possible place in the finals with his deliberate handball in November's play-off.[LNB] Handy for him: Henry gets away with a foul to set up Ireland's winner[LNB]But FIFA, fearing the ramifications of banning him for the openinggames in South Africa, concluded there was 'no legal foundation' forretrospective action.[LNB]Cheat: Thierry Henry[LNB]Ireland's Hull defender Kevin Kilbane, said: 'If FIFA had decided toban him for one or two games in the finals it would have opened them upto too many problems, so they had no choice but to bottle it.[LNB]'It is not a surprise and I did not expect anything else. I supposethey would be wondering where it would stop. If they had taken actionagainst Henry, they would be under pressure to act against any playerguilty of deliberate handball in any game in the future, and that wasnever going to happen.[LNB]'I don't think any decision regarding the outcome of the game or anydisciplinary matter was ever going to affect Henry, and he wouldprobably have had a legal team ready to strike. France and ThierryHenry were always going to go to the World Cup finals.'[LNB]Ireland led 1-0 in extra time of the second leg in Paris and seemedto be heading for penalties, at worst, until Henry's handball leddirectly to William Gallas equalising, leaving France 2-1 winners onaggregate.[LNB]The FA of Ireland and captain Robbie Keane were so incensed theydemanded a replay, then suggested they should be allowed to go to theWorld Cup as a 33rd team. Both pleas fell on deaf ears.[LNB][LNB] Crucial: Henry's handball saved France's World Cup dream[LNB]FIFA did agree to consider further action against Henry but thestatement said: 'There was no legal foundation for the committee toconsider the case because handling the ball cannot be regarded as aserious infringement of the FIFA disciplinary code.[LNB]'There is no other legal text that would allow the committee to impose sanctions for any incidents missed by match officials.'[LNB] How Henry became a pariah: From pin-up to figure of ridicule across worldD-day for Henry as France striker goes before FIFA committee for handballShort memory, Thierry? When Henry raged over 'goal' ruled out for... handball[LNB] Explore more:People:Thierry Henry, KEVIN KILBANE, WILLIAM GALLAS, Robbie KeanePlaces:Paris, France, Ireland, South Africa
