Ireland vs. France

In a November 18th match between Ireland and France, the deciding goal of the game and to put the winner into the World Cup was decided by a handball and an off sides all on one play. Some have criticized Thierry Henry for hand-balling the ball in the front of the goal to set up for the game winning goal in injury time. I personally, as a soccer player, do not see this as cheating. Though the outcome really sucks for Ireland and it may not be fair that France made it to the World Cup off of a missed call but that gives no one the right to call a player a cheater. Besides the fact that he did redirect the ball, it was an in the moment type of thing. Plenty of professionals have stated that they might have done the same thing. As you can see in the video, the first ball hit his forearm by accident, then he slapped it down with his hand to his foot and passed it across the goal for the win.

A lot of the media has been complaining for Henry to get suspended. I heard a commentator says this and I agree, what Henry did was breaking the rules but it's the same as tackling someone in a soccer game, or getting a yellow or red card. If you suspend Henry, then every time a player gets called for a foul, you have to suspend him too. So as much as this sucks for Ireland and even the credit for France being in the finals, Henry nor France should get in trouble for this. If FIFA wants to do something about it, had some sort of review system by the goal or add a few more officials to the field.