Messi Backs Henry Over Handball Furore
Source: Agencies |
December 8, 2009, Tuesday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
THIERRY Henry should not solely be blamed for his part in the controversial goal that sent France to the 2010 World Cup finals, Ballon d'Or winner and Barcelona teammate Lionel Messi said.
"I think Thierry did what he had to do, he apologized," the Argentina forward said on Sunday after the Ballon d'Or prize-giving ceremony organized in Paris by French Magazine France Football and France TV channel TF1.
"I also believe that it was just an incident during a game of football, the referee didn't see it, the linesman didn't see it.
"One shouldn't pin everything on Thierry," he added when asked about FIFA's decision to investigate Henry's blatant handball against Ireland in its playoff last month.
FIFA rejected Ireland's request for a replay after Henry's actions helped France to get a 2-1 aggregate win.
Messi, who became the first Argentine to be awarded the prestigious Ballon d'Or award on December 1, helped treble-winning Barcelona lift the Champions League title with nine goals, as well as bagging 23 in the league and six in the King's Cup.
He said his main objective was now to win the World Cup.
"We have been drawn in a difficult group because Nigeria has some very good players and South Korea and Greece could be a problem," he said.
"I think Thierry did what he had to do, he apologized," the Argentina forward said on Sunday after the Ballon d'Or prize-giving ceremony organized in Paris by French Magazine France Football and France TV channel TF1.
"I also believe that it was just an incident during a game of football, the referee didn't see it, the linesman didn't see it.
"One shouldn't pin everything on Thierry," he added when asked about FIFA's decision to investigate Henry's blatant handball against Ireland in its playoff last month.
FIFA rejected Ireland's request for a replay after Henry's actions helped France to get a 2-1 aggregate win.
Messi, who became the first Argentine to be awarded the prestigious Ballon d'Or award on December 1, helped treble-winning Barcelona lift the Champions League title with nine goals, as well as bagging 23 in the league and six in the King's Cup.
He said his main objective was now to win the World Cup.
"We have been drawn in a difficult group because Nigeria has some very good players and South Korea and Greece could be a problem," he said.
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