Thierry Henry virals flood internet as Ireland fumes over handball that put France through to World Cup

By Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 7:38 PM on 19th November 2009

The Irish Justice Minister today demanded a rematch after a blatant handball by French striker Thierry Henry led to the goal that beat Ireland and put France through to the World Cup Finals.

Dermot Ahern lashed out at governing body Fifa after the Republic of Ireland were cruelly beaten by the controversial extra-time goal.

Dubbed 'Le Hand', Barcelona star Henry confessed to using his arm to control the ball before squaring for teammate William Gallas to finish.

Within hours, virals had flooded the web mocking the French striker for his blatant cheating.

Scroll down to see the best of the virals

Le Hand: The moment that French forward Thierry Henry uses his hand to control the ball before passing to William Gallas to score the winning goal last night

Facebook groups have also been set up calling for France to be kicked out of next year's World Cup in South Africa.

And his Wikipedia page had been 'locked' to protect it from 'vandalism' as people tried to alter it to refer to his cheating.

Irish football bosses today lodged a formal complaint with world governing body Fifa over the incident.

Mr Ahern, a passionate soccer fan, called for Fifa to be called to account in the interests of fair play.

'They probably won't grant it as we are minnows in world football but let's put them on the spot,' the minister said.

'It's the least we owe the thousands of devastated young fans around the country.

'Otherwise, if that result remains, it reinforces the view that if you cheat, you will win.'

Bookmaker Paddy Power is refunding losing bets from Ireland's World Cup qualifier against France

Ireland have been widely praised as the better side over the two-leg play-off, which they lost 2-1 on aggregate.

'Thierry Henry has admitted handling the ball, claims he told the ref he handled it,' the minister said.

'Millions of people worldwide saw it was a blatant double handball - not to mention a double offside - and we should put the powers that be in the cosy world of Fifa on the spot and demand a replay.

Fury: Dermot Ahern has demanded a rematch

The Republic's assistant manager Liam Brady also backed calls for a replay.

'For the dignity and integrity of football, we will go to France and play again,' the coach said.

'(Fifa president) Sepp Blatter goes on about fair play - let him reflect on what happened last night.

'Where is football going if a team is cheated out of fair play? Where are we going if this decision stands?'

Mr Ahern has asked Football Association of Ireland chief executive John Delaney and vice-president Des Casey to demand Fifa arrange a replay.

The Ireland management team, including coach Giovanni Trapattoni, are due back in Dublin later today.

Irish Taoiseach Brian Cowen praised the team's heroic performance.

'The team's efforts kept the nation enthralled for 120 minutes of football,' Mr Cowen said.

'To a man, they did Ireland proud.'

Leading French daily newspaper Le Monde ran an online poll - Does France deserve to be in South Africa?

An overwhelming number of voters said: 'Non.'

Angry Republic of Ireland captain Robbie Keane claimed the game's masters got the result they wanted.

The country's record scorer, who took his tally to 42 in Paris, said Mr Blatter and Uefa counterpart Michel Platini would be happier that France are in the finals.

'They're all probably clapping hands, Platini sitting up there on the phone to Sepp Blatter, probably texting each other, delighted with the result,' the striker told BBC Radio Five Live.

Tonight on Live From Studio Five, show host and ex-Arsenal striker, Ian Wright conceded that Henry had moved his hand to the ball.

The blast will come as a shock to Arsenal fans as not only did the two both play for the legendary London club but were Arsenal’s all-time top goal scorers.
 
Wright said: 'When I see it in normal speed, his hand is moving towards it, naturally your hand moves away. He handles it - if it was a woman, he’d get arrested.'

'For him to say he’s not done that on purpose, I don’t know how he’ll get away with it.

'Thierry Henry is a great player, an honest player, it looks to me that it was purposely done. I wouldn’t accuse him of cheating and I’d like to think my instincts wouldn’t have done the same.'

Irish fury fuels internet viral campaign

The manner in which Thierry Henry's handball cruelly dumped Ireland out of the World Cup has sparked an outcry across the nation.

It has also prompted angry Irish fans to create 'viral' jokes which have been circulating on the internet to mock the French star striker.

Here, MailOnline compiles the best of the web's creative verdict on the row.

Thierry Henry's smirking face from his Nike ad is altered to make the point

Wrong sport: Thierry 'Harlem Globetrotter' Henry is mocked up to look like a star basketball player

Juggler: Fans pay tribute to the the Barcelona striker's remarkable (hand)ball control

Le cheat: One viral imagines a subtle change to Henry's name on his shirt while another makes a not-so-subtle reference to Maradona's famous handball

While Dermot Ahern calls for a rematch, another outraged fan issues a challenge of a different kind

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