FOOTBALL : Republic of Ireland winger Damien Duff has admitted he probably would have replicated Thierry Henry’s now infamous handball if the opportunity had arisen at the other end of the field.
Republic of Ireland winger Damien Duff has admitted he probably would have replicated Thierry Henry’s now infamous handball if the opportunity had arisen at the other end of the field.
The France striker used his hand to help set up William Gallas to score the goal that sent Giovanni Trapattoni’s men crashing out of the World Cup in Wednesday night’s play-off encounter. The Football Association of Ireland have since lodged a formal complaint with FIFA, which is expected to fall on deaf ears, as the controversy over the incident continues to rumble on.
But Duff, despite being devastated by the events in Paris, has admitted he would have done the same had it been to Ireland’s advantage, and said: “If it was down the other end and it was going out of play, I would have chanced my arm. You can’t blame him (Henry). He’s a clever player – but you expect the ref to see it, it was so blatant.”
The incident has inevitably sparked fresh calls for the introduction of video technology with defender Sean St Ledger insisting the need had been illustrated perfectly.
Duff too would support a move to bring football into line with the two rugby codes.
He said: “All it takes is two seconds.
“I ran across to the fourth official straight away. I think he has a monitor there.
“There’s a case there. You see it in rugby union, rugby league, it only takes 10 seconds. It should be there.”
