'That' Goal Against Brazil In WC '06

Today I felt like contributing to the hundreds of thousands of articles doing the rounds on the so-called ‘Greatest Controversy‘ since Maradona’s epic and infamous ‘Hand of God‘. I feel sorrowed as a Gooner and a worshipper of King Henry not because of the error in judgment made by the Supremo, but on the subsequent treatment dished out to him. Simply put, Thierry Henry is being made a scapegoat in the larger scheme of things and we at 11Gunners are dismayed by the turn of events, specially the disturbing piece of news which calls for a ban on the master from South Arfica’2010.When people in general and certain critics (including some self-proclaimed ones) lose their sanity and go gaga over an incident, it can be still understood to be their naivety. But when the law enforcers are on the brink of making a hasty decision, it makes you wonder doesn’t it?

Lets for once put things straight. A player handles the ball deliberately in the game. Was it the first time? No. Was it the last time, Definitely No. Within the finite limits of my footballing knowledge, I know handballs to be of two types- Hand To Ball an Ball to Hand. The latter is not even an offence and is deemed to be legitimate more often than not. And till few days ago, I honestly didn’t know that the former deserved capital punishment. Yes, it was a foul, an illegal on-field conduct that the official must have spotted and awarded a free kick to the Republic Of Ireland. Unfortunately that didn’t happen. Hard Luck to the Boys! But then Referees are humans and so are the Players and so are we, I daresay! End of Story! ..Hardly!

Thierry Henry was declared ‘Cheat‘ by his own men and others because the TV replays aired again and again and with the help of today’s ultra slow motion replays Henry’s offence was amplified, reiterated and hence proved. Do we really think Henry had that kind of time before he made this error, was it really ‘pre-meditated‘ or an inadvertent instinct, more like a reflex action, remember in real time the whole thing was wrapped up in seconds, maybe even lesser. The Rooney’s, Ronaldo’s, Messi’s, Gerrard’s and Drogba’s have gotten away with directing shit at the referee, blatant pre-planned diving and Henry was taken to the butcher’s shop for a handball, one for which he duly apologized and even went to the extent of agreeing in favour of a re-match.

I am sick of the most oft heard argument people give me, ‘The stakes were so high‘, yes they f***king were, but should that matter in the eyes of law, should a similar incident in the Coca Cola Championships be treated any differently by the law, I believe not, hope not. And since when did unsporting or immoral behavior become legally punishable, analogously, the next time you don’t help out a poor fellow on the streets with money, you ought to be thrown behind bars, Well that’s immoral, is it not?

I am most appalled by the reaction of the French public to this whole thing. They very well knew they didn’t have the balls to make it to the WC and now that they have, they talk of pride and dignity and the expense of their most celebrated player, f***d up diplomacy, all of it is.

On a personal note we the torchbearers of 11Gunners who have seen Henry do magic on the field and off it not only with his adroitness but with his humility and selflessness, feel saddened by this universal outburst against him. We love him, today more than we ever did!

Hail The GOD, The God We Have Known As KING HENRY..

Hand of God

Hand of Messiah

Stevie Gee..

Drag-Baa..

Knows Wayne to Fall..

CR07: Two's Company..