VIDEO: Henry joins Diego, Messi and more in the handball hall of shame

19 November 2009 13:01
Deliberate handball - when it's not being done to check for testicular lumps - is the most odious form of cheating.[LNB]Forget dives, clutching your face after a tap on the leg, deliberate time-wasting or swarming around the referee in a bid to get an opponent sent off.[LNB]Using your hands in the beautiful game (unless you are the keeper, obviously) contravenes even the Geneva Convention. It's cheating.[LNB]Years ago when coaching an Under 7s football team, my players were startled when an opponent jumped up to catch the ball then volleyed it into the net - only for the ref to give the goal 'as they're just kids'.[LNB]Even at that age they felt the injustice of a hand-to-ball scenario, even at that age they crowded the ref, even at that age were they in tears at such a poor decision.[LNB]Look, I can clap with them too: France captain Thierry Henry shows Nicolas Anelka another use for his hands...[LNB]But apart from the draw meaning we finished third in a group of six rather than second, there was little riding on it.[LNB]Unlike a World Cup play-off when you are one of the best players in the world and you manhandle the orb not once but twice in the build-up to a goal that puts your side through to the biggest show on earth and plunges another nation into despair.[LNB]The luck of the Irish really ran out when Thierry Henry's sleight of hand fooled the match officials to guide France to the 2010 World Cup Finals in South Africa.[LNB]The captain even admitted he had done it but that it was down to the ref - Martin Hansson -  to disallow the subsequent William Gallas goal not him to beg for it to be wiped out.[LNB]Henry's actions - slammed even by his own country's media -  have again renewed calls for video referees at football matches and have created the biggest talking point since THAT goal from Diego Maradona in 1986.[LNB]Grown men who felt the injustice of a hand-to-ball scenario, grown men who crowded the ref, grown men who were in tears at such a poor decision.[LNB]So as Henry & Co prepare for World Cup glory and Robbie Keane & Co prepare for World Cup punditry, Sportsmail recalls some of the most controversial handball moments in football.[LNB]Diego Maradona, Argentina v England 1986The little master fooled everyone except Peter Shilton when he 'outjumped' the big keeper and pushed the ball subtly over his head. The 'Hand of God' was born and christened moments later when he beat the entire team and most of the crowd to score possibly the greatest goal ever.[LNB][LNB]Lionel Messi, Barcelona v Espanyol 2007With Barca trailing to their less-than-fashionable city rivals, Argentine Messi (there's a theme developing here) launched at a cross from Gianluca Zambrotta to slap the ball into the net to equalise. His side went on to win the match.[LNB]Joe Jordan, Scotland v Wales 1977Good old fashioned centre forward Joe Jordan showed he was handy with his fists when punching the ball over his head in a winner-takes-all World Cup qualifier at Anfield - and incredibly winning a penalty himself. Big Joe kissed his fist as he fled the scene of the crime, the impartial Scottish commentator revelled in a 'punch if ever there was one' despite the fact that a Welsh hand was nowhere to be seen, and Don Masson duly put Scotland on their way to Argentina 78.[LNB][LNB]Vata Matanu Garcia, Benfica v Marseille 1990Back in the days when reaching the European Cup Final meant you had to be a champion to even make the tournament in the first place, Angolan Vata Matanu Garcia deftly put Benfica into the final with a gentle nudge...[LNB][LNB]Sergio Aguero, Atletico Madrid v RecreativoThe father of Diego Maradona's grandchild - and another Argentine - Aguero latched on to Fernando Torres's header to chest the ball home with both hands in 2006.[LNB][LNB]but de la main de A.madridby rcl_59[LNB]But cheats don't always prosper...Paul Scholes, Manchester United v Zenit, 2008When the flame-haired midfielder decided to take the law into his own hands in the Super Cup last year, he found the net brilliantly - but he also got a red card for his troubles.[LNB][LNB] Hand of God II: France striker Thierry Henry confesses he cheated to rob Republic of Ireland of World Cup place Graham Poll: Cheats never prosper? Well, France certainly did in ParisFrance 1 Ireland 1 (aet): Luck of the Irish runs out after Gallas goal ends dreamVIDEO SPECIAL: Ronaldo, Klinsmann, Gerrard - the best 'dives' in historyDodgy swords, the marathon by car, half a horse race, self-harm and infected boxing gloves - Sportsmail reveals the most devious sporting cheats in history[LNB][LNB]  Explore more:People:Sergio Aguero, Martin Hansson, Diego Maradona, Paul Scholes, FERNANDO TORRES, Lionel Messi, Thierry Henry, WILLIAM GALLASPlaces:Barcelona, Wales, South Africa, Argentina, Scotland, France, United Kingdom

Source: Daily_Mail