Aldridge: Suarez goal not like hand of Gaul

John Aldridge has dismissed comparisons between Luis Suarez’s handball in Liverpool’s 2-1 FA Cup win against Mansfield and Thierry Henry’s sleight of hand in France’s World Cup play-off victory over the Republic of Ireland in November 2009.

Suarez was branded ‘‘a cheat’’ by ESPN commentator Jon Champion after he used his right wrist to score Liverpool’s second goal against the non-league outfit on Sunday.

Champion has since been spoken to by the broadcaster for his remarks but former Liverpool and Ireland star Aldridge feels the incident ‘‘wasn’t anywhere near as bad’’ as Henry’s handball in the build-up to the goal that ended Ireland’s hopes of reaching the 2010 World Cup.