Handball!

Earlier in the week, French footballer Thierry Henry committed a handball during a World Cup qualifying match against Ireland. This has sent the world of soccer into a huge uproar. Henry himself said it was handball, but it was the refs’ job to call it. The FAI (Football Association of Ireland) has complained about the integrity of soccer and the honesty of the game. Roy Keane, a hugely popular Irish soccer player came out and said that Ireland earned a shit call for a penalty kick against Georgia, which the FAI didn't dispute (as it was in their favor).
Personally, I am a fan of French Football, and my favorite player since I've began playing soccer is Thierry Henry. And I feel I may be a bit biased in saying that the entirety of the team (or even the country) shouldn't be punished on the actions of one man. Henry himself should be suspended from any meaningful international competition (I.E. the World Cup). I don't mean ban him from the World Cup, but make France advance past the group stages without their captain, as there is no meaningful international play between now and next summer.
I know my last post was about sportsmanship and being courteous to your opponent and Henry has clearly disgraced the game; but no more so that Argentine legend Diego Maradona (hand of god). If we argue to replay every game with any controversial call in soccer, we'd never advance to any level. As much as I hate to admit it, dives, intentional handballs, and dirty intentional fouls are a part of the game. It works disadvantageously around the board. I myself, a former goalkeeper, have caught shots behind the line that would've been goals, or tossed balls out of the goal before the ref could distinguish that they'd gone past the line. I played to win. "Winning isn't everything." No its not, but it sure feels a hell of a lot better than losing. Henry cheated. Yes, he is still my favorite player. He cheated. But soccer is constant. Soccer's set up doesn't allow for replay like basketball and football.
Roy Keane also commented on the poor defense of Ireland stating that they should be to blame for allowing Henry to get goal-side of them. In addition, allowing a ball to bounce uncontested in the penalty area, not to mention inside the 6-yard box. Also receiving criticism from the Irish footballer is Irish goalkeeper Shay Given who is supposed to attack and gather any ball inside of the 6-yard box. This is a painfully true statement coming from someone who has goalkeeper experience, though never on any high level.
In addition, the President of France and the Prime Minister of Ireland are agreeing to meet in Brussels to discuss the situation... You've got to be out of your mind!! I understand soccer is huge in Europe. I understand that very well. When 2 committees oversee the soccer in your area, (First FIFA, then UEFA) how can you really take it upon yourself as a politician to worry about sports. That's as absurd as Bush investigating steroids in baseball. It’s a sport. You are the most powerful person in your country; don't you have something better to do with your time?