Referees should take lead from rugby, says Henry

ARSENAL captain Thierry Henry would love to be able to have a friendly chat with referees — just like in rugby.

Henry was furious when what appeared to be a perfectly good goal against CSKA Moscow was disallowed by Manuel Mejuto Gonzalez for what the Spanish official saw as a handball, booking the striker into the bargain.

In rugby union, the team captain or appointed representative is permitted to approach the referee for an explanation on decisions during the game, with a tradition of always addressing the man with the whistle as ‘sir’.