Henry admitted the ball did strike his hand and claims he told the referee, who chose to allow the goal to stand...."It was a handball, but I'm not the ref. I told (the referee) but he said tome the same: `You are not the ref."'
...
"It was a handball, but I'm not the ref. I told (the referee) but he said to
me the same: `You are not the ref."'
However in fairness to Henry - players cheat and dive all the time and if they succeed in fooling the referee it is (almost) considered fair game - although the "anglos" like to get sniffy with the "Latins" claiming they have brought this to a fine art and undermined the spirit of the game.
One of the reasons I prefer Rugby is that there is a lot less play-acting going on - it is against the players code of honour - although it has been creeping in a bit more of late as the game gets more "professional" - witness "bloodgate" in England when Harlequins used artificial blood to simulate an injury in a critical match against Leinster. notes from no w here
The decisions of the referee regarding facts connected with play, including whether or not a goal is scored and the result of the match, are fi nal.
The referee may only change a decision on realising that it is incorrect or, at his discretion, on the advice of an assistant referee or the fourth official, provided that he has not restarted play or terminated the match.
"But I will not let myself be reduced to silence."
So, he didn't tell the referee during the game, but an Irish player after the game. Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's need, but not every man's greed. Gandhi
