Maradona/Henry

[flip_flop]

Maradona, at the time of the 'Hand of God' goal was the best player on the planet, yet for me his whole career is defined by that one incident of blatant cheating.

Indeed, when anybody talks about Maradona on the TV, the cheating incident is always mentioned.

So, will Henry's career also be defined by his blatant piece of cheating that cheated Ireland out of a World Cup slot?

It will for me.

[mark01]

Yes flip flop, I think Henry willl be remembered for this cheating incident, just like Maradona has for all these years. Henry is coming towards the end of a marvelous career yet this incident will live long in the memory.
Saying that Republic were the better team throughout and had 4 fantastic chances to win the game in normal time - but couldnt - thats football and thats life.

[lil'frog]

I'm French. I watched the match last night, which left me with a rather bitter feeling of embarassment. Believe me, the French media this morning reflected exactly that - there's no pride in winning without glory.

As for Henry, will he be remembered because of this incident? In Ireland, yes. In the UK, probably. In France? I doubt it. Refereeing mistakes that work out unfairly happen often enough. Henry is a great football player either way, and has had an amazing career. He was part of the '98 team that won the World Cup for my country, and in the long run that's what he will be remembered for, just like Zidane.

Oh, and - @Duchess Jogger Jayne of Seagull - "Bl00dy frogs. Garlic breath w@nkers. Cheats"
Stereotyping much? One man's action doesn't speak for a whole nation, you know.

[flip_flop]

There is a poll in Le Monde today and 88.8% of respondents have said that the French didn't deserve to go through.

Well that's restored my faith in sportsmanship to a degree - or I could be cynical and suggest they are being maganamous in victory!

[joggerjayne]

Sorry, lil'frog

Obviously "Bl00dy frogs. Garlic breath w@nkers. Cheats" only refers to the French football team ...

... not to the French nation as a whole.

Cripes ... I could hardly dislike the nation who gave us Veuve Clicquot !!!

=0)

[Meridianman]

I am disgusted.

I've already decided that when I have my Friday naughty food tomorrow I will officially be rejecting the french fries. Big mac only for me. Oh and one of those Mcflurry things. And a milkshake. And probably a cheeseburger to finish it off.

That will show him.

On the subject of naughty food, what is everybody else's favourite?

[joggerjayne]

Popcorn.

Jumbo bucket.

Or a bag from Blockbuster if I'm watching a DVD at home.

[brionon]

Did he have a ''Maradonna Moment '' ?

[joggerjayne]

Brionon ...

Have you just come round from a deep coma ?

Or emerged from a cave ?

You can't have not seen Thierry Henry's "helping hand" !!!!!!!

=0o

[brionon]

Duchess Jogger Jayne of Seagull Both,and thank-you for your friendly question.

[coccinelle]

As lil'frog says the French aren't rejoicing with a light heart - it's taken the sparkle out of this World Cup over here (for the time being anyway)

[socket2008]

I see the Irish are demanding a replay of the game to take place. Won't happen.

Refs across all leagues make mistakes in all games. Throw ins that aren't,free kicks that aren't, penalties that aren't, goals that aren't.

At what point would the principle of replaying a game become relevent? A world cup game? a Premiership decider? the under 10's Doreset league cup final? Each of those could argue it means everything to them.

Mistakes in football happen. Sometimes it hurts. But it would hurt us all (in the pocket too) if games were being replayed each time there was a discrepancy.

What if Keane had handled the ball, would the Irish be happy that a French contingent were demanding a replay? Any Irishman answer that one. The fact is you would not want it.

[flip_flop]

awfypanloafy - Yes.

[beejay1124]

a) ireland-would they have won anyway
b)have they not cheatedi n the past-
c) good enough for them!!!!

[mightyWBA]

Bad decisions and unseen incidents are part of the game and will be until video refs are used.
Henry has been and still is a fine footballer,yes he handballed it and got away with it.
If it hadn't led to a goal nobody would be bothered.
I don't care much for the Republic and they don't care much for England,as one angry Irish supporter told Talksport when asked who he would be supporting if France played England in the World Cup next year,answered "France"
Stuff 'em!
Vive La France :-)