Messi comes out in defence of Henry

THIERRY HENRY should not solely be blamed for his part in the controversial goal that sent France to the 2010 World Cup finals, Ballon d’Or winner and Barcelona team-mate Lionel Messi has said.

"I think Thierry did what he had to do, he apologised," the Argentina forward said yesterday after the Ballon d'Or prize-giving ceremony organized in Paris by French magazine France Footballand France TV channel TF1.

“I also believe that it was just an incident during a game of football, the referee didn’t see it, the linesman didn’t see it. One shouldn’t pin everything on Thierry,” he added in answering a question on Fifa’s decision to investigate France striker Henry’s blatant handball against the Republic of Ireland in their play-off in Paris last month.

Messi, who became the first Argentine to be awarded the Ballon d’Or award last week, helped Barcelona lift the Champions League title with nine goals, as well as bagging 23 in the league and six in the King’s Cup.

He said his main objective was now “to win the World Cup”. “We have been drawn in a difficult group because Nigeria have some very good players and South Korea and Greece could be a problem,” he said. “A (first knockout) game against France would be very difficult because France are a great team.”

Republic of Ireland defender Richard Dunne has accused Fifa of “taking the mickey” after reports the side were being considered for a special award.

Fifa president Sepp Blatter announced the disciplinary committee had opened proceedings against France striker Thierry Henry for his infamous handball which saw William Gallas score the winning goal against the Republic in the play-off in Paris.

Aston Villa centre-half Dunne, though, was unimpressed and said: “It doesn’t affect me one little bit what Fifa will do with Thierry Henry. Whether he plays in the World Cup or not, I won’t be. Whatever Fifa do will probably be wrong anyway.

“From the moment the rules were changed for the play-offs, when the seedings were brought in, it was decided they wanted France through.

“It’s always the same way Fifa think about Irish football. Unless you are a massive country or have massive sponsorship you’re not going to be welcome.

“What’s this award that Fifa are going to give to Ireland? It is Fifa taking the mickey – give the Irish a plaque instead of going to the World Cup. It’s a sop.

“They can keep it. I would be very surprised if Robbie Keane, our captain, was going over to collect it.”

Team-mate Shay Given also admitted he still harboured anger towards Blatter and said: “I still feel angry about the whole thing.

“All the stuff from Fifa and Sepp Blatter – just rubbish. A couple of days ago Blatter said he’s spoken to (Thierry) Henry and how it wasn’t his fault, it was the referee’s.

“A couple of days on and Fifa say they’re going to look into Henry. To be fair to Thierry, he probably had the realisation at the end of the game that what he’s done is illegal. He’s cheated Ireland. I’m not saying he’s a cheat but what he’s done is illegal.”