Let The Cheating Begin

November 21, 2009

On Wednesday night Thierry Henry handled the ball before sending in a cross that William Gallas (who else) headed into the Republic of Ireland’s goal. It was a goal that sent Les Blues to South Africa 2010 at the expense of Giovanni Trapattoni’s men in green. It is a goal that saddens me a little more each time I watch it.

Henry claims it was accidental; most other people disagree. Henry says you have to do what it takes to win; the implication being that cheating is a means to an end. Henry says it’s the referees fault for not spotting it; an all too familiar attempt to shift the blame away from his heinous act.

There are deafening calls for the game to be replayed but there is scant little hope of that. What is beyond doubt is that Henry’s reputation is now shot, France will be the most despised country at next year’s finals, and cheating is as rife as it ever has been.

Not too long ago Robin van Persie was in my sights for his despicable admission that he goes down easily to win penalties. Put another way – he deliberately cheats. He and Henry are two of the most gifted and graceful footballers the game has seen, yet their words and actions are proof that the game is plagued with cheats. Worse still, it is plagued with cheats who do not believe they are doing wrong. Henry will admit the handball; he won’t admit to cheating.

Henry’s outrageous act is a Hand Of God for our times; his legacy will now be tainted in the same way as Diego Maradonna’s. The stakes were almost as high as they can be and Ireland were denied in the cruellest way. France were awful on the night and resorting to underhand tactics was the only way they were going to get a result. The fact that it paid off and they enjoyed all the luck will stick in Irish throats for a long time.

At a time when referees are under severe scrutiny, the howler by Martin Hansson and his officials is ill-timed, but Henry’s attempts to shift the blame are typical of top players and managers these days. Lost in the hullaballoo is Hansson’s correct reading of Nicolas Anelka’s disgraceful attempt to win a penalty.

A deflected first leg goal and a handballed second mean that the cheats have prospered. I truly hope a replay is ordered but these things rarely happen and Ireland might just have to put it behind them and start planning for next time.

We haven’t even had the draw for the finals yet and we already have our first major controversy. If France are allowed to keep their place without a replay the message to the cheats is loud and clear – keep on doing what you do best because it does pay off.

South Africa 2010 is only seven months away so let the cheating begin.

BruiseLee

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