by Roberto Alvarez-Galloso

Created on: November 20, 2009

The world of football [soccer] is in shock after the qualifying match between France and the Republic of Ireland. Thierry Henry was one of the participants in the all too important game. The tensions between France and the Republic of Ireland were palpable from the beginning with both teams struggling for a berth in the 2010 World Cup to be held in South Africa.

The result was that the French won an aggregate by a 2-1 margin and classified for the 2010 World Cup on aggregate points and the "Hand of Henry". During the game, Henry used his hand to prevent the ball from going outside of the play area. The comparison with Maradona's "Hand of God" was inevitable. The interviews with former colleagues in the Arsenal Football Club and the French National Football [Soccer] Club defended the position of Henry.

The Republic of Ireland asked FIFA for a rematch and the motion was denied as predicted. The organization states that that the results of a refereeand the game are final unless the French want a rematch. FIFA added that a rematch would be an invitation for other members to ask for the same treatment.

The French did not want a rematch while the leaders of Ireland and France were expressing sharp disagreements about what transpired. Thierry Henry issued an apology and said that a rematch would be a "fair solution" before adding that it would be up to FIFA for a decision.

Sir Alex Ferguson of Manchester United jumped into the fray by suggesting the use of video monitors for games. The underwriter favours a mixture of human decision combined with technology even though Football [Soccer] like many sports are imperfect. The whole thing has a solution.

Thierry Henry should not be banned from the World Cup. He admitted that he used the hand in the game but Maradona used the hand and nobody banned him. It would be unfair for Henry to receive a heavy punishment of a World Cup ban while Diego Armando Maradona received a light punishment under Article 57 of the FIFA Regulation Book. For the information of the readers, Article 57 carries a two month suspension with a 20,000 Swiss Franc fine compared to Article 58 which is more stringent.

The banning of Thierry Henry from the 2010 World Cup while Maradona [who has committed severe offenses] will be seen as double standard. Thierry Henry has admitted his guilt and claims to feel the pain of the people and supporters of the Irish National Football [Soccer] Team. It is for this reason [as well as the fact that Henry and the French Football [Soccer] Federation may encounter problems in the 2010 World Cup] that Henry deserves to play in the 2010 World Cup.

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