OK, so everyone's seen Thierry Henry's handball in the match that cost Ireland a World Cup berth. And naturally, the world (ESPECIALLY the media) have been quick to call him a cheat. The man admitted it was a handball, he has even said that Ireland deserves a replay. I'll admit, I've been a huge fan of Henry ever since his early Arsenal days, still am, and yes, it totally sucks that Ireland went out in such a way. In an ideal world, a replay would be fantastic and justified, but this is reality, and reality is harsh, meaning that good things don't always happen as they should.
It should also be considered what OTHER players would've done in the same situation. What if it was Robbie Keane, Cannavaro, Terry or Torres? Would the reaction have been just as overblown? I believe that much of the media coverage, especially in the UK is incredibly biased and it has become apparent that yes, the media have set an agenda against Henry because they don't like the French. This is a continuation of the English/French - rivalry/hatred.
In the end, it should be remembered that sports people will do ANYTHING to win. Winning is all they live for, you think they spend hours of exhausting training just to come in second? That they're dream since childhood was to win a silver medal? No.
That is why Henry didn't protest any stronger than he already did. He told the ref what happened, and the guy said it was HIS decision as ref. Not Henry. I also fail to see how people can say Henry's actions were planned. We the sheep are shown a SLOWED DOWN image of the incident. Henry from my point of view was only acting on reflex. Think about it, you're near the goal, you have a chance to seal the win...but the ball is going out, at that point your emotions and overall excitement take over and you just don't want the ball to go out. So you stop it through the most natural means possible, WITH YOUR HANDS.
In addition, look at the likes of Michael Schumacher. A man hailed as THE greatest Formula One driver of all time cheated a number times, including occasions which ultimately decided the World Championship by the smallest of margins. He took flak for it, and look at him now, people have forgotten all about it, and he's seen as legend and role-model nowadays. On a lesser scale, Grosso's fall (or dive as seen by Australians and Australian media) resulted in an unjust ejection of the team during the World Cup in Germany. People were angry about it, but no one remembers or cares about it anymore. (Hell, even Christiano Ronaldo's constant diving doesn't get this much coverage)
The same will happen with Henry. Things will blow over, and people will forget about it...
*Sorry Ireland fans. I totally understand where you guys are coming from, but this is the way I feel*

*In other news, Jenson Button has recently signed onto the McLaren F1 team for the 2010 season, now partnered up with Lewis Hamilton (A man who I truly believe IS God Himself
This could be the makings of a "super-team" with a friendly competition developing between the two, since they both seem to get along well. OR it could end up being another awesome Senna/Prost pairing, where the two will do anything(kill, maim, cheat...)to win. Either of the two options would be great since I like both drivers (although one of them more than the other), but it would be brilliant to see a replay of the legendary battles between Alain and Ayrton in the modern day.*

As always, DEC~