It takes a big man to put his hand up when he's wrong

OK,first things first a confession, I'm Irish and I support the Irish football team and I'm a tad disappointed at the result of last night's World Cup Qualifier in Paris. Although I fully expected France to build on their first leg lead and win comfortably,the outcome was not a shock, the way it transpired was.

Thierry Henry; let's give him the benefit of the doubt on the first touch, it may have hit his hand, the second touch in which he scooped the ball round was blatant, clear and unequivocal cheating. Adrenaline took over and he couldn't help himself, pass to Gallas, un-zero, les bleus. 15 minutes later , tout fini, France off to South Africa, an average Irish team stays at home and goes off to the beach.

I wake up this morning, annoyed but hey ho, on we move, it was a game of football and nobody died. I'm lying in bed listening to a sports talk radio station when an irate caller said, "I'll never buy another Gillette product again"

Gillette spend millions a year using Henry, Federer and Woods in product advertising, all chosen for their clean images, character and manliness.

It leads to the question: Can we envisage the morning after the US Masters a similar debate on Tiger taking an air shot and denying it to the world's press.....highly unlikely....ditto Federer on a dodgy line call, can't see it.

Imagine the flip side. 10 seconds after the ball hits the back of the net Henry does the decent thing goes to the ref and says "Sorry, No I handled it" and becomes one of the world's greatest ever sportsmen, sports heroes and a genuine role model, France go on to win in extra time or on penalties and he is a global icon.

Wouldn't that have been something? How in awe would the world have been? Sponsors would have been lining up,a global hero to kids and adults alik.

Back in the real world, will an Henry endorsement ever have the same ring and is this his defining moment in terms of his personal legacy....?


Shame,,,,,,great footballer, but putting his hand up was a step too far