Henry: Caught in the act

Respect. Thierry Henry had it in abundance before he took to the field for France’s crucial World Cup play-off with Ireland last night… This morning he woke as the most loathed man in Ireland after a blatant act of cheating helped secure France’s spot at next year’s World Cup.

The former Arsenal striker deliberately handled the ball not once, but twice in the build-up to William Gallas’ decisive extra-time goal, which sent France and not Ireland to the 2010 World Cup.

Henry said afterwards “I will be honest it was a handball but I’m not the referee”, but claimed it was not “intentional”, which judging by the footage below seems to add salt into an open Irish wound.

Thierry Henry will be remembered for many things when he finally decides to retire from football, but the respect that people once had for him has been shattered forever.