Henry may face finals ban

Blatter says players must "observe fair play"

By Danny Wright   Last updated: 2nd December 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Henry may face finals ban

Henry: Could face ban

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Thierry Henry could miss the start of the next summer's World Cup finals after Fifa said his infamous handball will be referred to its disciplinary committee.

The announcement came as Fifa's executive committee met for an emergency meeting in Cape Town.

The French striker came under fire in the aftermath of the controversial win over the Republic of Ireland in last month's play-off match, which saw the FAI call for a replay.

The 32-year-old could face a ban if he is found guilty of any wrongdoing.

The incident also reignited the debate over the use of technology and Fifa came under pressure to introduce goalline technology and a five-referee system

Fifa rejected both calls but announced it will launch an inquiry to consider the use of both technology and extra officials in future matches.

"The disciplinary will open a case on the behaviour of the player Thierry Henry," said Fifa president Sepp Blatter.

"I have not said that Thierry Henry will be punished, I have said that Thierry Henry will be examined by the disciplinary committee of Fifa.

"This is a matter of the disciplinary committee and it's not a question of this player or another - it was a blatant unfair playing and was shown all around the world, but I don't know what the outcome will be."

The FAI also asked Fifa to consider letting Ireland enter the finals as a 33rd team, but that idea was also rejected.

Football's governing body has come under great scrutiny in light of its message to the football world regarding the importance of fair play, and Blatter said players should realise that the eyes of the world will be on them next summer.

"I appeal to all the players and coaches to observe this fair play," he added. "In 2010 we want to prove that football is more than just kicking a ball but has social and cultural value.

"So we ask the players 'please observe fair play' so they will be an example to the rest of the world."

The referral of Henry will come as little consolation to the FAI, which has argued vociferously for Giovanni Trapattoni's side to be given a place at the competition.

Comments (12)

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Jim Atkins (Swansea City fan) says...

Henry blatantly committed an offence but he was not in charge of the game the referee was and you can't blame him for their failings.Sportsmen in all sports are told that the referees decision is final and not to argue. If the goal had been disallowed then the result would have been decided by penalties and I think that under the circumstances that would probably have been the fairest outcome.I understand it is not possible to replay the game,and it probably wouldn't come up with the same result anyway,but it would be possible just to conduct a penalty shoot out to decide who goes through.However the powers that be wouldn't allow that as it questions their control of the game.It is time that the available technology is utilised to ensure fairness and correct decisions after all peoples livelyhoods stand or fall on some of these decisions.

Posted 05:47 3rd December 2009

James Toone (Manchester United fan) says...

The whole referee and video nonsense is getting beyond resonable comprehension? How can Fifa the Fa play dumb for much longer, they are guilty of double standards!! They will not use video scrutiny to bring Fair Play into being as in lots and lots of football matches played weekly, so the French Ireland gamed has been proven France won by cheating, as mentioned all the world saw it and Ireland are out........I can agree as I am a Brit living abroad that video scrutiny can spoil the game, however, how can you use video to punish players after the match has ended and then on the other hand not take action after the match when video shows the game was won by Blatent cheating.? Come on either one or the other no video period or video for everything.stop this double standard nonsense before the world cup!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted 03:07 3rd December 2009

Micheal Kelly (Manchester United fan) says...

Quick question: If France had gone out due to a handball by an Irish player, would Sepp Blatter be more inclined to review the overal result? Would the result have stood?

Posted 01:31 3rd December 2009

Gerard Moreland (Liverpool fan) says...

Blatter should resign, he is a joke. I (as I can imagine others) have no confidence in FIFA while he is in charge. He is making a laughing stock of fair play.

Posted 00:35 3rd December 2009

Terry Leslie (Real Madrid fan) says...

Henry handball referred to Fifa disciplinary committee,Ha Ha, The match officials should be put on trial,They are the only people who didnt see the incident, How are they(Fifa) going to squirm out of this one,Tennis,Rugby League,Rugby Union,to name but a few all benefit from video technology,

Posted 23:17 2nd December 2009

Richard Lloyd (Manchester United fan) says...

How stupid, FIFA say retrograde decisions could open flood gates, what he did was wrong, so be it, the ref missed the obvious, the linesmen missed the obvious. Video evidence ala rugby is only obvious answer, afterall it doesnt delay or holdup the game too much there. Much can be taken from that game, rugby

Posted 22:33 2nd December 2009

Stewart Morrison (Manchester United fan) says...

Make France play in the Ireland strip!

Posted 22:25 2nd December 2009

Dave Milner (Chesterfield fan) says...

in modern day sports like football its disgraceful that a footballer would cheat to get his team through to the world cup finals,that french player should be ashamed of himself,and so should Fifa,the Republic of Ireland should be allowed a replay,because no matter how they dress it up france cheated ,Fifa you are bang out of line for allowing this to continue,hold a relpay,to restore your good character

Posted 22:22 2nd December 2009

Pete Jones (Aston Villa fan) says...

I will be down the bookies as I know 100% that due to Sepp blatter and Michel Platini never backing up their claims of believing in fair play, plus the frenchness, they will in no way, shape or form, impose any kind of ban or punishment on france or on Henry. . Mark my words, there will be no punishment at all

Posted 22:00 2nd December 2009

Starsky Lino (Arsenal fan) says...

Blatter is an absolute joke. He as president of FIFA is an embarrassment.

Posted 21:53 2nd December 2009

Paul Hitch (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...

Personally I think Henry should be banned for the entire tournament following his handball, if FIFA wnat people and players to respect their fair play, then they have to come down hard on cheats and give them the hardest punishment. I also believe that during the tournament, any one suspected of cheating or caught cheating should be immediately sent home, to show that this type of behaviour will not be tolerated.

Posted 21:08 2nd December 2009

Michael Kidd (AFC Wimbledon fan) says...

Sepp Blatter should do all true football fans a favour and quit. He is out of touch with the modern game. All sports should embrace new technology. It has not harmed rugby and tennis both equally fast moving games. He has antiquated views and does more harm than good the temptation to cheat will always be there and some players will sucumb but they should be weeded out by cameras if necessary and banned for lengthy periods. Unfortunately all the football association bodies are run by people with over inflated egos and are limp wristed and weak. I fear sanity will not reign in my lifetime.

Posted 21:07 2nd December 2009
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