New Delhi: In what could come as a big blow French captain Thierry Henry may face World Cup ban for handling the ball in the World Cup qualifier against Ireland.
Henry could miss the start of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa if FIFA's disciplinary panel decide that his handball last Wednesday constituted to "unsporting behaviour".
The Hand of Gaul may have put France on the plane to South Africa but the man who's hand was instrumental now faces the danger of missing the flight himself.
Henry, who has called for a re-match, has already admitted to the offence
"I will be honest, it was a handball. But I'm not the ref. I played it, the ref allowed it. That’s a question you should ask him," Henry said.
The disciplinary commission will decide on the basis of video evidence of the possibility of sanctions just like in previous cases.
Raúl, the Real Madrid forward, was banned for scoring with his hand in a Champions League game. Mauro Tassotti was banned for eight games by FIFA after elbowing Spain's Luís Enrique during a World Cup quarter-final at USA 94.
Similarly, Marco Materazzi, was handed a two-match ban and fined 5,000 euros for inciting Zinedine Zidane to head butt him in the 2006 World Cup final.
But while many are vilifying him as a villain like his former coach Arsene Wenger his former skipper Zinedine Zidane has come out in full support
"I am not content because France shouldn't gain qualification with these things. All the stadium has seen the handball, but the referee hasn't. This isn't the French way and football should learn from this," said Wenger.
"What I just want to say is that Thierry Henry is not a cheater, even if it is a big foul and he committed it, let's not dwell on it," said Zidane.
But 15 illustrious years in football and just one single moment of madness has surely has blotted a legendary career.
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