Thierry Henry, Diego Maradona Forever Linked by 'Hand of God'

France advanced to the 2010 World Cup thanks to a no-call on a Thierry Henry hand ball that set up the William Gallas' overtime goal. Not surprisingly, the Irish side was incensed, and Henry bluntly stated after the match that, "I will be honest, it was a hand ball. But I'm not the ref ... I played it. The ref allowed it. That's a question you should ask him", probably didn't help.

Hand balls are a part of soccer and they go uncalled all the time. The difference in Henry's case is that it couldn't have been more obvious if he caught the ball and threw it in the goal.

Upshot: the hand ball no-call has drawn comparisons to Diego Maradona's "Hand of God" goal against England during the 1986 World Cup.

Both videos after the jump.





At the time, Maradona described it as "A little with the head of Maradona and a little with the hand of God." Before later admitting what he wall knew: the goal should have been disallowed.

Now all that's left for Henry is to develop a coke habit, gain 400 pounds, get his stomach stapled, become a popular television host and coach the national team.