Thierry Henry could face ban in World Cup for handball

Published on Wednesday 2 December 2009 22:22

THIERRY Henry is facing the prospect of being banned from the start of the World Cup after Fifa announced yesterday that its disciplinary committee had opened proceedings against the French striker for his handball.

The incident in the World Cup play-off against the Republic of Ireland was the main subject of an emergency meeting of the Fifa executive committee in Cape Town yesterday. However, the body rejected a proposal – brought in response to the handball – to fast-track the experimental system of having five officials on the pitch, with two extra assistant referees behind each goal-line, for the World Cup.

Fifa president Sepp Blatter announced the proceedings against Henry and although he added it was too early to speculate on the outcome, the Barcelona forward could face a range of sanctions, with a one-match ban perhaps the most likely.

Asked why Fifa were making a special case of Henry when so many players commit handballs, Blatter said: "This is a matter of the disciplinary committee and it's not a question of this player or another – it was blatant unfair play and was shown all around the world, but I don't know what the outcome will be. I have not said that Thierry Henry will be punished, I have said that Thierry Henry will be examined by the disciplinary committee of Fifa."

Blatter said the World Cup would come too soon to allow the inclusion of extra officials, currently being trialled in the Europa League, and he was backed up by German executive committee member Franz Beckenbauer.

The Fifa president said: "We shall have a look at technology or additional persons and this shall be done by a committee.

But it has been decided for the World Cup 2010 there is no change in the refereeing."