Petit: French Players ‘Felt Guilty And Ashamed’ About Henry’s Handball

on February 28, 2023 at 9:35 am

It might be over a decade since the infamous incident but Thierry Henry’s handball still remains a sore spot for Irish football fans.

It was November of 2009 and Ireland went to the Stade de France needing to overturn a 1-0 first leg deficit to secure qualification to the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. Ireland completely out played France that evening but could only manage a goal from Robbie Keane to force the fixture into extra-time.

Then came the infamous Henry handball. The France legend used his hand to control the ball and then flick the ball back across the goal to William Gallas who scored the goal that dashed Ireland’s World Cup dreams.

Ireland couldn’t recover from that unjust goal and public outrage ensued but a replay never came.

We got the perspective of France legend Emmanuel Petit who won the World Cup with his country in 1998. Petit gave us his insight into the reaction of the French players in the aftermath of the controversial goal.

How The French Felt About The Thierry Henry Handball

Ireland are playing France next month. Do French people feel guilt over the infamous handball?

As French players, we felt guilty and ashamed with the infamous handball. Many of our players wanted to replay the game against Ireland, however it was more romantic to see France qualify for the World Cup than Ireland.

It is not the way we wanted to qualify, and it is not our history. I agree with Bacary Sagna’s statement that if invented then, VAR would rule France out of the World Cup.

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‘Zidane Doesn’t Speak English’

If you were Boehly, would you fire him and go for Zidane or Enrique?

Zinedine Zidane doesn’t speak English so he’s not the proper choice for Chelsea to replace Potter, with all due respect to my former teammate. Potter has been there since September, are you really going to fire him? They should stick with him as they still have the chance to win the Champions League.

If you sack Potter, someone who comes to the club straight away will have to adapt and do the right things and fans must understand it will take weeks and weeks. I won’t judge Potter now for the bad results.

What’s Wrong At Chelsea?

What a terrible result for Chelsea, why is it going so badly for them?

I know the pressure is on Graham Potter and the fans are frustrated and I understand that as there are expectations. There’s been a lot of money spent but he’s not a magician, but yesterday when I saw the first XI I asked myself, why has he chosen this one?

It’s difficult as so many different players, from different countries and areas have come in and it’s hard for the dressing room. The pressure is on Potter, but I don’t know if someone could do better. You can argue that money brings you victories but it’s not a quick fix.

When I look at his face, he looks so miserable on the bench?

Why Chelsea’s New Signings Aren’t Working

Why are players like Felix and Fernandez getting worse rather than better?

I think the new players and the old players are not making a good relationship with one another.

Potter needs to stick with his vision and not change every single game. Mudryk played well the first two games then he was on the bench, what’s that going to do for his confidence?

You need to stick with his vision and he must bring back the confidence to his players, as many are lost on the pitch.

Chelsea Should Sign Oshimen In The Summer

There’s talk of a big summer clearout, do you think the likes of Ziyech, Aubameyang etc should leave?

Hakim Ziyech looked miserable on the pitch and escaped from a red card. There needs to be a positive dynamic but even Kai Havertz, who’s playing as a centre-forward, doesn’t look great.

Aubameyang when he played against Man United looked so frustrated. Since Aubameyang left Arsenal he did good things with Barcelona, but he won’t go back there and he looks angry and like he doesn’t want to be at Chelsea.

Something has been broken at Chelsea and it’s affecting the dressing room. Chelsea need a striker, despite spending £600m,

If I was Chelsea, I would go for Osimhen over the likes of Marcus Thuram. You know there is a striker’s curse at Chelsea but someday this will be broken and he could do it.

I have followed Osimhen since he played for Lille and he was already a very good striker. Since he left for Italy, where the pressure is very high and the fans are passionate, he’s played brilliantly.

They have so much pace in their game and he is physical, clinical and very confident about his quality. If Chelsea can bring in Osimhen, that’d be very good for them.

He reminds me of Drogba somewhat. He certainly possesses the same qualities as him.

Chelsea Should Keep Mason Mount

Should Chelsea keep or sell Mason Mount?

Chelsea should try their best to keep Mount. I know he’s been linked with some big clubs, but taking away this season, he has been remarkable and he’s grown up with the club.

He was developing into a brilliant midfield player, with goals and assists, and I think this year has been a transition year for Chelsea – so don’t put everything in a rubbish bin.

He’s one of the last English players in the dressing room, too, which is very important for the fans. Chelsea should not make a stupid decision to sell Mount, he should stay at Chelsea.

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