Sport : devoir

2ème article en anglais pour le centre national d'enseignement à distance :

Jeu de main, jeu de vilain

Apologies too late

French captain Thierry Henry admitted replaying the World Cup qualification play-off against the Republic of Ireland would be "the fairest solution".

 In France, many people are embarrassed by the victory against Ireland. Thierry Henry's hand upsets everybody.

Henry said: "I said at the time and I will say again that yes I handled the ball. I am not a cheat and never have been. "It was an instinctive reaction to a ball that was coming extremely fast in a crowded penalty area. "Naturally I feel embarrassed at the way that we won and feel extremely sorry for the Irish who definitely deserve to be in South Africa. " "Of course the fairest solution would be to replay the game but it is not in my control. »

Really easy this reaction, just after the French Football Federation rejected a request by the Football Association of Ireland on Friday for a replay of Wednesday's controversial World Cup play-off. Fifa also refused Irish calls for a rematch by issuing a statement on Friday morning insisting that "the result will not be changed and cannot be replayed".

The French Football Federation rejected those calls and reiterated that Fifa's decision should be final.

Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger claims that the FFF owes it to Henry to replay the game.

He said: "I think the French Football Federation has to do that [replay the game]. He [Henry] has done so much for French football that French football has to help him. The credibility of France going to the World Cup is dependant on that."