Thierry Henry's Wikipedia page defaced
- Thu, 19 Nov 2009
- Comments (6)
French footballer Thierry Henry has had his entry in Wikipedia defaced after the striker admitted to handling the ball in the run-up to the goal that knocked Ireland out of the 2010 World Cup.
Henry's entry on the collaborative encyclopedia has now been restored to its former state with just one reference to the "controversy".
However, the page was earlier defaced and, at the time of writing, was still listed in search results as "Thierry **** Henry; born 17 August 1977) is a French **** footballer who plays for Spanish La Liga club Barcelona".
Thierry Henry handball causes web storm
The page itself has been rolled back to a previous version but at the top shows the message: "This page is currently protected from editing due to vandalism."
Fans furious about the nature of Ireland's exit from the World Cup in a two-leg play-off between the two nations have been venting their rage on the web.
The BBC has even set up a special page to give live coverage of the reactions to the drama.
"In 2009, FIFA will most likely receive the award for the most misleading description of a football match, with this astounding write-up of the Ireland v France play-off:
"Five minutes later, William Gallas bundled the ball home to win the match for Les Bleus after being set up by Thierry Henry, who later admitted that he had handled in the build-up. The goal enabled France to qualify and avoid a repeat of their humiliating failure, at the hands of Bulgaria, to qualify for the 1994 FIFA World Cup finals.
The Republic, especially captain Robbie Keane, had the lion's share of the chances in regulation time, and they will be kicking themselves having last qualified for the 2002 FIFA World Cup, where they reached the Round of 16.
A clearly relieved French coach Raymond Domenech said France had had to scrap to the end. "It was hard, laborious and indeed miraculous," he told French television. "I was sure we would make it though. My forecast was 1-1!"
Ireland are not kicking themselves, they are imagining kicking someone else entirely, quite hard, in the nuts. And France's win was indeed miraculous – or grossly, ridiculously unfair and downright wrong, whichever...
FIFA, a replay is in order."
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Comments
Latest comments
November 20 10:33
Adam Ellis
My thoughts on the whole situation http://bit.ly/3L0JuJ if you want to take a look
November 20 17:42
Mathsman53
FIFA can never again talk about " FAIR PLAY ". Now players will return to diving,handling the ball as often as necessary,faking fouls ,.......etc. Shame on Henry.His reputation is destroyed.I used to admire him.
November 20 17:58
Tim Stoker
There will be no replay and no justice for the Irish. FIFA knows that there are more French people will travel to the Finals than there would be Irish, ergo more oney to be made by FIFA and its chums (SA tourist board?) Every FA, from county level up through national, international regions (ie UEFA) right up to the world governing FIFA are run with one thing in mind, making a profit. It is not about football, honour, or sportsmanship. I sympathise entirely with the Irish, but they will get nothing from this, As for Henry, 1, he's a cheat. 2, he's a liar(he was looking at the ball the whole time and DELIBERATELY HANDLED THE BALL-TWICE). He should receive a lengthy ban, but he will get away with it.
November 26 15:48
Mr Speaker
I feel for you Irish after that game, it was a bad decision. However, stop asking for replays, it has never happened and it will never happen.
Perhaps more importantly is the idea that video refs would fix the problem. This is a stupid suggestion, with that goal, it wouldn't have gone to the vidref anyway, unless you think EVERY decision should go upstairs.
Furthermore, it is A GAME. 25 people and a football pitch and ball is all thats needed. In the poorest slums to the biggest leagues, it is the same, no video referees, EVERYONE who plays has learned to accept the referees decision. If the rich clubs and leagues use video, it will undermine the refereeing system in a global game.