Ooijer holds his hands up

Holland defender admits blocking Henry shot

By Rob Parrish   Last updated: 14th June 2008

Andre Ooijer Thierry Henry Holland France Euro 2008

Ooijer gets to grips with Henry

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Holland defender Andre Ooijer has reportedly admitted that he handled a shot from France striker Thierry Henry in their Euro 2008 Group C clash.

The Blackburn Rovers defender is quoted on the website of Dutch magazine Sportweek as saying that the French should have been awarded a penalty in the incident.

Had referee Herbert Fandel ruled against Ooijer, it would have given France the chance to bring the scores level at 1-1, in a match they eventually capitulated in to lose 4-1.

Penalty

Ooijer told Sportweek: "There should have been a penalty from Thierry Henry's shot.

"I stopped the ball with my hand.

"Without that there would have certainly been a goal."

Ooijer's comments, which have not been confirmed by any other publication, support what beleaguered French coach Raymond Domenech said earlier on Saturday.

"There was a turned down penalty appeal which could have changed the course of the match. The referee is the only one not to have seen it," said Domenech.

France need to beat world champions Italy in Tuesday's final match to have any hope of reaching the last eight and are also relying on the Dutch, who have already qualified as group winners, avoiding defeat against Romania.