Thierry Henry’s “Hand of God” That Broke The Irish Hearts

Elijah Odetokun

Diego Maradona passed away yesterday and a lot has been said about the footballing great, the good, the bad and the ugly.

The ugliest of his football career was his self-acclaimed “Hand of God” against England in the quarter final of the 1986 World Cup.

To bring to remembrance, France legend Thierry Henry also handled the ball, not once but twice to assist a goal that qualified France for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. Not once but twice!

The Irish felt everything that day November 18, 2009 and till today still feel it like an aftermath of war. The win sealed France’s qualification to the first World Cup on African soil but sent the Irish back home empty handed from Paris.

Henry admitted that he indeed handled the ball but said he’s not the referee. He released a statement saying the fairest way to settle the dispute was to replay the match but it never happened.

Then President of Ireland, Mary McAleese, in attendance at the game, head butted then President of France, Nicolas Sarkozy after the game before returning to Dublin and an arrest warrant was issued for Henry though he was never arrested.

France were eliminated in the group stage of the 2010 World Cup with one point in a group that also has Uruguay, Mexico and host South Africa.

Diego Maradona broke the English hearts, Thierry Henry broke the Irish hearts.