Injustice is a funny thing in the world of football, because as the song goes: you can’t always get what you want. Unfortunately, more often than not it’s a bizarre referring decision that prevents you from reaching your goals as opposed to your ability on the pitch. With that in mind, let’s have a little chat about THAT handball from Thierry Henry.
By this point most of you will know the story. Ireland were on the verge of taking France to penalties in their World Cup play-off, when Thierry Henry’s double handball helped Les Bleus book their ticket to South Africa. So in short, everyone in football spent a good few weeks hating the Frenchman’s guts.
There were demands from the Irish FA for the game to be replayed, a petition to insert Ireland into the tournament as the 33rd team, and many more protests of that nature. Of course none of them paid off, but it’s the thought that counts right?
The 11 brave souls that started that game will likely still think about it to this day, even though the likes of Damien Duff claim that they don’t hold any grudges. No seriously, we’re supposed to believe that.
Shay Given
Despite being the ripe old age of 41, Shay Given is still going strong as a back up keeper for Stoke City. The moral of the story: if you want an extensive footballing career, slap on a pair of gloves. Image Source: Twitter
John O’Shea
John O’Shea is like the Mr Bean of football, in that he always seems to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. The former United man is currently going down with the ship at Sunderland. Image Source: Twitter
Richard Dunne
10 own goals, eight red cards and a career that ended at Queens Park Rangers. Somehow that doesn’t sound like a story that should end with the man in question living in Monte Carlo, and yet that’s where Richard Dunne finds himself. Fair play. Image Source: Twitter
Sean St Ledger
Having been released from Orlando City amid controversy, it could be game over for the only Irishman to score for his country at Euro 2012. Still, he managed to stir rumours about a potential fling with Taylor Swift, so that’s something. Image Source: Twitter
Kevin Kilbane
Having been around since as long as we can remember, Kevin Kilbane is currently enjoying life as a pundit for BBC Sport. He isn’t the most exciting of blokes, but he gets the job done. Image Source: Twitter
Liam Lawrence
The former blonde bombshell was last seen at Bristol Rovers, and now finds himself still searching for a new home. Oh what could’ve been. Image Source: Twitter
Glenn Whelan
Whelan is still going strong for Stoke City, as he has been since 2008. If this fella doesn’t get a top class testimonial, then there’s simply no justice left in the world. Image Source: Twitter
Keith Andrews
Keith Andrews became something of a journeyman towards the back end of his playing days, signing off with brief spell at MK Dons on loan from Bolton Wanderers. Image Source: Twitter
Damien Duff
The aforementioned Damien Duff is one of Irish football’s proudest sons – or at least, that’s what he deserves to be. He’s currently training a brand new batch of young talent over at Shamrock Rovers as a first team coach.
Image Source: Twitter
Robbie Keane
Legend. Icon. The main man still has that killer instinct, and is even being linked with a reunion alongside Harry Redknapp at Birmingham. He may be 36, but Keano is still a valuable hand for any Championship side. Image Source: Twitter
Kevin Doyle
Doyle seems to have adapted to the painfully thin air in the rockies, with the former Wolves striker currently plying his trade in the States with Colorado Rapids. Image Source: Twitter
SEE ALSO: Marc Overmars: the world-class winger blighted by injury
So as the Irishmen and women reading this cry into their cornflakes, let’s take a moment to appreciate that being a linesman is an extremely difficult job. Sometimes your view is blocked and sometimes you just make the wrong call, but they’re all human beings – and they deserve a touch of respect.
Still, we wouldn’t want to live with that. Fair play for getting away with it, Thierry.
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