Why I would have done exactly what cheating Thierry Henry did

By Robbie Savage

Published 23:00 19/11/09

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I screamed at the telly on Wednesday night as Ireland were cheated out of the World Cup finals by Thierry Henry’s hand. But would I have done the same thing in his position? Yes, I would.

What Henry did made me sick. It was more blatant than Diego Maradona’s Hand Of God. And I’m gutted for the Irish, who deserved to win against the worst French side I've ever seen. I’m disgusted for Shay Given and for Robbie Keane, who ran so hard.

I feel terrible for Giovanni Trapattoni, whose tactics had the French running scared. They couldn’t pass water.

I’ve played against Lassana Diarra a few times and never seen him lose the ball. On Wednesday, with the Irish at his heels, he kept giving it away.

And I’m steaming that not only have have FIFA got what implementing a seeding system suggests they wanted – the French in the finals – but that once again a key refereeing decision has gone against a smaller team away from home.

But all of that doesn’t change one simple fact: Any footballer, if they’re honest, would admit they would do exactly what Henry did if it meant getting his team to a World Cup finals. Even the Irish lads.

I was asked on Sky’s Goals On Sunday last week whether, if I accidentally handled the ball into the goal and got away with it, I would say anything.

I said I would keep quiet and I believe every footballer would. Although Dion Dublin might say different! Yes, Henry looked contrite at the end. Yes, this will follow him for years as it has followed Maradona.

But no one in the French dressing room will have turned on him. Raymond Domenech might even have kissed him for saving his job.

I bet you Thierry slept well on Wednesday night, and within a few days he will be laughing about it with his Barcelona team-mates.

The fact that it was Henry who did it is significant. This isn’t some journeyman looking for an edge. This is one of the best players in the world. And when the decisive moment came, for all the ability he has, his competitive edge took over and he did what came naturally.

The will to win is in all footballers. Even if that means winning at all costs.

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