Africa-Press – Lesotho. The infamous handball of Thierry Henry occurred during a crucial FIFA World Cup qualifying playoff match between France and the Republic of Ireland on November 18, 2009. There is online betting at 1xBet on these qualifying matches too.
The match was held at the Stade de France in Paris and determined who would qualify for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
France had won the first leg 1-0 in Dublin, and the second leg in Paris was tightly contested. In the 103rd minute of extra time, with the aggregate score tied 1-1, Thierry Henry handled the ball twice in quick succession before setting up William Gallas to score the decisive goal. At 1xBet online punters can also start betting on everything that happens on football extra time too.
The referee allowed the goal to stand, despite Irish players’ protests. Television replays clearly showed that Henry had controlled the ball with his hand, which was an intentional move to keep it from going out of play.
Total outrage
The incident sparked widespread outrage. Something that definitely is not outrageous is to visit the www.1xbet.com.gh/en/line/football platform, where many occurrences related to football can be wagered.
Henry himself admitted after the match that he had handled the ball but said it was instinctive and not for him to make the call. The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) demanded a replay, but FIFA denied the request. Speaking about FIFA, different competitions of them are featured at the 1xBet website too.
The controversy led to intense debates about fair play and the need for video technology in football. It became a major turning point in the push for VAR (Video Assistant Referee), which was later implemented in major tournaments.
An absolutely controversial moment
For the Irish team and fans, it was a moment of deep injustice, while for Henry, a respected player and national icon, it became a blemish on his otherwise illustrious career. The best livebet on 1xBet is available on the Irish national side too.
Though France advanced to the 2010 World Cup, their campaign ended in disgrace amid internal team turmoil and early elimination. Their results in the competition were:
a 0-0 draw with Uruguay;
a 2-0 defeat with Mexico;
and a 2-1 defeat with South Africa.
The handball remains one of the most controversial moments in football history, symbolizing the fine line between instinctive play and unsportsmanlike conduct. At 1xBet punters can enjoy the best livebet on the FIFA World Cup and other big football competitions too.
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