Whelan: Henry did nothing wrong

RONNIE WHELAN believes FIFA were right not to impose any kind of sanction on Thierry Henry and says that the French striker’s notorious handball in the World Cup play-off against Ireland in Paris was just part and parcel of the game.

“I wasn’t surprised at all,” says the former Ireland and Liverpool legend of FIFA’s decision.

“What are you going to do? Every time someone handles a ball do you suspend them? It happens week in, week out, and any footballer who says he wouldn’t have done what Thierry Henry did is a liar. It’s up to the referee and linesman to ensure you don’t get away with it. I don’t blame Thierry Henry at all and I don’t think that he should have got a ban or anything like that. It’s part and parcel of football.”