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World Cup Debate: Should Thierry Henry Be Made Accountable For His Hand Ball?
As we come to terms with France’s qualification to the 2010 World Cup, which indeed happened under acrimonious circumstances, Goal.com ponders as to whether ‘Titi’ Henry should at all be made liable to answer the critics...
19-Nov-2009 10:26:00 AM
Yes, the Irish hearts were broken when Wiliam Gallas equalised in the 103rd minute at the Stade de France in the second leg of the crucial World Cup play-offs. But it was what preceded the goal that shall forever go down in history books as one of the major blunders of all-time. A Florent Malouda free-kick was clearly handled by Henry to keep the ball in play and eventually Gallas did the rest.
This has once again sparked off the age-old talk of whether the ‘Fair Play’ exists if at all it does. There have been calls for video technology and tennis-like call for challenges though; the game’s governing body has always preferred manpower, which they plan to increase by placing two more to monitor the penalty-area incidents.
Back in June during the Confederations Cup, Egypt questioned referee Howard Webb as he awarded a last minute penalty to Brazil, which the African nation believed was taken by the assistance of the fourth official who might have checked the replays. Also the famous ‘headbutt’ which saw Zinedine Zidane end his glorious career disappointingly as referee Horacio Elizondo gave him marching orders which was claimed to have been influenced by a replay. FIFA has officially denied the use of technology in both the above mentioned incidents.
There have been a series of comments made by fans all over branding Henry as a “cheater” who had to resort to cheap tactics to help his side into the World Cup. Of course, it was a disgraceful incident that a contentious decision decided the fate of the game and even more so that a player of Thierry Henry’s repute was involved.
I Handled The Ball
"I will be honest, it was a handball," Henry admitted after the game. "But I am not the referee."
Is it the fallacy of the game? Or is it plainly that a player cheated to take his team into the World Cup? Under the current framework of rules, players often get away with such incidents and hence, make the most of it. They can’t resist the temptation.
Should a player be held responsible while it’s the governance (officiating) which was at fault? Even if we consider that the referee missed it, does it ethically allow players do indulge in such actions which are against the spirit of the game?
Personally, I think the player must be punished in order to set a standard and thereby, instill a fear amongst the other players that none can get away with such histrionics. One may question as to why it didn’t happen in the past. But it has to start somewhere and sometime. Arsenal’s Eduardo Da Silva was banned but it was later rescinded as not enough evidence was found against him.
Today, if Henry isn’t held responsible, tomorrow, players all across the world shall cite this instance and indulge further in using their hands in a game of the two feet.
Rahul Bali.
Let us know what YOU think? Should Henry be Punished?
This has once again sparked off the age-old talk of whether the ‘Fair Play’ exists if at all it does. There have been calls for video technology and tennis-like call for challenges though; the game’s governing body has always preferred manpower, which they plan to increase by placing two more to monitor the penalty-area incidents.
Back in June during the Confederations Cup, Egypt questioned referee Howard Webb as he awarded a last minute penalty to Brazil, which the African nation believed was taken by the assistance of the fourth official who might have checked the replays. Also the famous ‘headbutt’ which saw Zinedine Zidane end his glorious career disappointingly as referee Horacio Elizondo gave him marching orders which was claimed to have been influenced by a replay. FIFA has officially denied the use of technology in both the above mentioned incidents.
There have been a series of comments made by fans all over branding Henry as a “cheater” who had to resort to cheap tactics to help his side into the World Cup. Of course, it was a disgraceful incident that a contentious decision decided the fate of the game and even more so that a player of Thierry Henry’s repute was involved.
I Handled The Ball
"I will be honest, it was a handball," Henry admitted after the game. "But I am not the referee."
Is it the fallacy of the game? Or is it plainly that a player cheated to take his team into the World Cup? Under the current framework of rules, players often get away with such incidents and hence, make the most of it. They can’t resist the temptation.
Should a player be held responsible while it’s the governance (officiating) which was at fault? Even if we consider that the referee missed it, does it ethically allow players do indulge in such actions which are against the spirit of the game?
Personally, I think the player must be punished in order to set a standard and thereby, instill a fear amongst the other players that none can get away with such histrionics. One may question as to why it didn’t happen in the past. But it has to start somewhere and sometime. Arsenal’s Eduardo Da Silva was banned but it was later rescinded as not enough evidence was found against him.
Today, if Henry isn’t held responsible, tomorrow, players all across the world shall cite this instance and indulge further in using their hands in a game of the two feet.
Rahul Bali.
Let us know what YOU think? Should Henry be Punished?
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