by Rob Stewart
Published: 10:25AM GMT 20 Nov 2009

The Sunderland chairman turned on the French striker after admitted that he was left devastated by Henry’s hand-ball at the Stade de France that cost his nation a place in next summer’s World Cup finals.

Quinn, who played for his country at the 1990 and 2002 World Cup finals, said Henry’s handball was more unfair that Maradona’s famous ‘Hand of God’ offence when Argentina knocked England out of the 1986 tournament in Mexico City.

“People talk about Maradona’s Hand of God goal but I’d say that [Henry's goal] was the biggest injustice I’ve ever seen in sport,” said Quinn who scored 21 goals in 91 internationals.

“Maybe I feel it more because I’m Irish. all that I believe in and all that I love about sport was shattered when I saw something like that. It’s possibly the lowest I’ve felt at any sporting moment in my life.

“I was at the first leg and it was disappointing because France were lucky on the night. we hoped it would be us who got the breaks in France but it wasn’t to be,”

Quinn, whose indignation is shared by his manager Steve Bruce, spoke out as his club prepared to host his and Henry’s former club, Arsenal, at the Stadium of Light on Saturday.

He will be hoping that a winning performance by Bruce’s charges will lift his sprits following the events in Paris.

“In a way, it’s games like this which make me wish I was still playing, although given the speed of the Arsenal players and the pace at which they play the game I’d be like a fish out of water,” Quinn added.

“It’s a pleasure to have them here. I think I learned about more than football during my time at that club, I got a great education which stood me in good stead.

“At the old Highbury you went into the marble halls, see the bust of Herbert Chapman and knew you were in a very special place.”

Quinn is also looking forward to an emotional reunion with Arsenal assistant-manager pat Rice on Wearside.

“Pat was my youth team coach was brilliant for me,” Quinn, 43, continued.

“Under him, I went from a player struggling to get in the under-18 team to banging in the goals for the reserves and knocking on the door for the first team.

“I bumped into him on the beach in Spain in the summer and it will be great to see him here. I’m thrilled we’re entertaining Arsenal, but not just that – we’ll be competing against them.”

Quinn, who played 67 times for Arsenal and scored 14 goals between 1983 and 1990, is banking on England striker Darren Bent to see off Arsenal.

“Darren has scored against Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool this season and he’ll be going into this game thinking he can do it again, which is fantastic and puts us in a really good place,” Quinn continued.

“When we came up three years ago it was all about competing with teams like Arsenal and we’ve got ourselves to the point now where I think we have a chance.”

He added: “The players have earned the right to go into these games with a chance because we’re playing some good stuff, there’s a solid spirit in the air and a strong feel about where the club is going.

“That’s all down to the manager and the staff he’s brought in, who have been tremendous.; Steve and his team have really altered things in their own way, everyone seems to have bought into it and long may that continue.

“By virtue of their performances the players have earned the right to go into these games believing it’s no shot in the dark playing against Arsenal and that we have a decent chance of winning the game.”

Nov 21 2009 by Christopher Lepkowski, Birmingham Mail

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THE controversy and fall-out over Thierry Henry’s goal against Ireland perhaps over-shadowed the need for TV technology.

Roberto Di Matteo was ‘upset’ with the manner of Ireland’s exit to France and believes that the double handball underlined the need to assist officials during games.

FIFA are showing little inclination to review their policy on technology but the Albion boss feels the time is right to introduce some form of assistance.

“I think everybody involved in the game would love to have a law or technology – two more or three more refs – to avoid these kind of mistakes,” said Di Matteo.

“It’s a huge mistake from officials who otherwise had good games.

“It’s just human error but there was so much at stake.

“In the Europa League they have a fourth official, even though they got it wrong in the Fulham game.

“It’s been discussed so many times.

“A lot of things went through my mind, like allowing technology into football, the fourth official playing a bigger role and the honesty of players.

“What upset me the most was how unfair it was.

“Something has to be done.”

n Albion trio Roman Bednar, Marek Cech and Romaine Sawyers will appear at a fans’ forum at The Hawthorns on Tuesday.

The Q&a session, organised by the main branch of the Official WBA Supporters’ Club, will be held in the East Stand.

Doors will open at 6.30pm for a prompt 7pm start.

The event is free for members, although new members can join on the night.

AAP

Thierry Henry sparked a storm by taking matters into his own hands while Guus Hiddink’s golden touch finally went missing as next year’s World Cup line-up was finalised.

The Socceroos learned exactly which 31 teams they’ll be up against at the tournament in South Africa as France, Portugal, Greece, Slovenia, Uruguay and Algeria booked the last six spots ahead of the draw on December 4.

Former Socceroos coach Hiddink failed in his bid to get Russia to World Cup while Uruguay made amends for their defeat by Australia four years ago by edging through with a 2-1 aggregate win over Costa Rica.

But it was a deliberate case of cheating by Henry in France’s play-off win over Republic of Ireland that caused the biggest stir.

Match officials in Paris missed a double handball by the French captain in the lead-up to an extra-time goal that sealed a 1-1 draw and ultimately France’s progression.

Swedish referee Martin Hansson failed to spot Henry slapping the ball with his hand twice to stop it going over the goal line before tapping a short cross that was headed in by William Gallas for 2-1 win on aggregate.

“He almost caught it and walked into the net with it,” said Robbie Keane, who had put Ireland ahead in the 33rd minute.

Henry admitted the handballs were intentional, and refused to apologise or express any sympathy for Ireland.

“I will be honest, it was a handball. but I’m not the ref,” Henry said of the goal, quickly dubbed the Hand of Frog in reference Diego Maradona’s famous Hand of God goal at the 1986 World Cup.

“I played it. The ref allowed it. That’s a question you should ask him.”

Ireland coach Giovanni Trapattoni was livid and had to be calmed by officials.

Sydney Swans’ Irish AFL star Tadhg Kennelly summed up the thoughts of his compatriots, labelling Henry an “absolute cheat” when shown it during a Sydney television interview.

Meanwhile Hiddink seemingly lost his Midas touch as a nine-man Russia went down to Slovenia, who qualified for only their second World Cup finals on Wednesday with a 1-0 win in Maribor.

Striker Zlatko Dedic scored the only goal just before the break, while Hiddink’s side was reduced to nine men in the second half when Alexander Kerzhakov and Yuri Zhirkov were both sent off.

Russia had won the first leg 2-1 in Moscow on Saturday, but Slovenia’s win on Wednesday meant they qualified on the away goals rule.

Hiddink famously led South Korea to the semi-finals of the 2002 World Cup before taking Australia to the round of 16 in Germany in 2006.

He also steered Russia to the semi-finals of Euro 2008, and Chelsea to the FA Cup last season, but could not apply the same trademark magic this time around, leaving his coaching future up in the air.

In the other European playoffs, Portugal ensured Cristiano Ronaldo’s presence in South Africa with a 1-0 win at Bosnia-Herzegovina, a Raul Meireles’ second-half goal ensuring a 2-0 aggregate win.

Greece scored an upset 1-0 win at Ukraine on Dimitrios Salpigidis’ 31st-minute goal for a 2-1 aggregate victory to appear in their first finals since 1994.

Algeria secured the last African spot and their first finals appearance since 1986 by beating Egypt 1-0 in a tie-breaker playoff at Khartoum, Sudan.

Two-time world champions Uruguay drew 1-1 with Costa Rica in Montevideo to progress 2-1 on aggregate and erase the heartache suffered at the hands of the Socceroos in Sydney four years ago.

8:27am UK, Thursday November 19, 2009

Huw Borland, Sky News Online

French footballer Thierry Henry has admitted handling a ball before a crucial goal that sent his team to the World Cup at the expense of Ireland.

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The goal drew the tournament qualifier in Saint Denis, outside Paris, 1-1.

Before the goal, Ireland had been leading 1-0 and the match was level on aggregate.

Foul play: Henry handballs

But in the first period of extra time, Henry twice handled the ball – stopping it going out of play, then controlling it – to set up his teammate William Gallas.

After the match, Barcelona striker Henry said Swedish referee Martin Hansson was the main culprit for not spotting the infringement.

The player said: “I will be honest, it was a handball. But I’m not the ref. I played it. the ref allowed it.”

Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’

The former Arsenal star’s foul play spurred comparisons to the infamous “Hand of God” during the 1986 World Cup.

England were knocked out of that tournament’s quarter-finals after Argentina’s Diego Maradona punched the ball into the net over goalkeeper Peter Shilton.

Ireland captain Robbie Keane was furious with Henry and said his team’s goalkeeper Shay given had a clear view of the incident.

Tottenham striker Keane said: “We knew anyway. When you see the reaction of Shay, he’s two yards away from it. You don’t get a reaction like that (otherwise).

Robbed: Keane after the match

“(Henry) almost caught it and walked into the net with it.

“He’s an absolutely top player and has been for a long time, but it was a clear handball.

“He actually dragged it in from going out. I wouldn’t expect it from anybody.”

After winning 1-0 in Dublin on Saturday, France won 2-1 on aggregate, and will play in its fourth straight World Cup. Ireland failed to qualify, as in 2006.