World Cup 2010

FIFA Considering Thierry Henry Handball Punishment

Blatter reveals that sanctions could be enforced against striker

Nov 30, 2009 8:38:33 PM

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Joseph Blatter, FIFA president (AFP)

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Thierry Henry

By Nick Price

FIFA have announced that they will decide on Wednesday whether to punish Thierry Henry for the striker's handball against the Republic of Ireland.

President Sepp Blatter has revealed that the extraordinary meeting of the executive committee, called for after a variety of problems plagued recent World Cup qualifiers, will discuss possible sanctions against the Barcelona striker.

But Blatter did not say whether the Frenchman would face a suspension despite uproar from the Irish FA.

The striker called Blatter to discuss threats received from enraged fans after using his left hand to keep the ball in play to set-up William Gallas whose goal put Ireland out of the competition.

Blatter has responded by suggesting that more should be done to prevent foul play going unchecked, and turn the tide against the systemic bending of the game's rules.

"There is a lack of discipline and respect in the game by the players because they are cheating by playing with the hand, pulling shirts and diving," he said.

"We have to fight against that," Blatter said at the Soccerex conference in Johannesburg, but again was averse to introducing video technology for all but goal-line decisions, stating that the game had to retain its "human face".

Blatter suggested that oversights such as Henry's handball could instead be seen by two linesmen placed behind each goal, as trialled in this season's Europa League.

"We will have to see if this is feasible and whether it is realistic," he said.

He also called for his organisation to take tougher action to crack down on dissent and cheating by players, to give the game greater parity and accountability.

"One billion people are indirectly involved in our game," he said.

"Those that have the highest responsibility are those exposed by the television cameras, but also because they take the highest amount of money.

"They must have a responsibility. This is the appeal I will make to the executive committee, otherwise I will do it alone.

"We have to take responsibility to make sure Fifa's World Cup in Africa will be played according to the rules of the game and the sprit of fair play," he added.

"We have six months to show to the world that we have changed because of what has happened in the last [qualifying] matches of the World Cup.

"If we are not able to do so, we will put our papers under the desk and go home. We must do it."

Furthermore, in light of events in Paris, and incendiary clashes between Egypt and Algeria and Uruguay and Costa Rica, Blatter suggested that sudden-death play-offs be scrapped for the next World Cup qualifying campaigns.

"There is too much at stake and football is so important," he said.

"To be qualified or not qualified is so important. To determine qualification by one match only … we have to look at that."

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