Even the most die-hard Roy Keane supporter will surely have been left dismayed following the Ipswich Town manager's rant over France's midweek winner in that World Club qualifying second-leg play-off. The infamous "hand of Henry" goal led to Ireland's elimination and not surprisingly comparisons have been made with Maradona's 1986 "hand of god" goal. Click to continue reading...

Martin Samuel brings some perspective to the Fergie and Maradona punishments

Red Rants takes a look at Henry's disgraceful action from last night

Soccerlens looks at how United can improve

A Kick In The Grass previews our visit from Everton

The Evening News talks about Dimitar Berbatov ahead of Everton game

The Daily Mail looks at the top ten teenage sensations

"RoM Reads" was originally published at The Republik of Mancunia. Click to continue reading...

A raíz de lo sucedido en el partido de repechaje rumbo al mundial de Sudáfrica 2010 entre Francia e Irlanda, se ha levantado de nuevo la polémica sobre si es necesario que el fútbol comience a utilizar la tecnología como apoyo para que los árbitros se equivoquen menos en sus decisiones.

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HEGS has lost a little of its news value lately due to diminishing spare time on my part, so as of today I'm going to try and remedy that slightly. As Thursday turns into Friday at the start of each round from now on, I'll be giving a quick rundown of some of the main [...] Click to continue reading...

Everybody is talking about it, so I thought I'd join in. It has been dubbed the Hand of god II. As if the plot of this sequel is similar to the first one.

Before we can go into further debate, I'm not denying that it wasn't a handball. It will be very difficult to suggest otherwise. The actual handball happened in two parts, the first seemed accidental but the second most definitely wasn't.

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After some dramatic final round and playoff matches, the footballing nations which will grace the stadiums in South Africa are now complete. France, though should be feeling very sheepish as they cheated their way into South Africa.
No one would've expected Thierry Henry to do a "mini-Maradona" but unfortunately, footballers will always try to gain an advantage whether legally or illegally. Click to continue reading...

Congratulations FIFA, they've got the World Cup they wanted now haven't they, and I hope their proud of how they got it. It was a ridiculous decision to seed the World Cup play-offs in the first place, and ultimately prevent the the hard-work in qualifying of teams like Ukraine, Bosnia and of course the Republic of Ireland.

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Portugal qualificou-se para o Mundial 2010 com um triunfo na Bósnia. Não fez mais que a sua obrigação e só custa ter que esperar pelo último jogo e ver a equipa a abusar do tão criticado "anti-jogo", a abusar de tempo perdido em lançamentos, pontapés de baliza e por aí fora... Espero que a campanha no Mundial seja bem melhor e que Cristiano Ronaldo finalmente se lembre de começar a jogar. Click to continue reading...

France captain Thierry Henry admitted he had handled the ball in the build-up to a controversial goal that sent France to the World Cup at the expense of Ireland on Wednesday.

Talk about Maradona's� Hand of God, for the Boys from Ireland, this tragedy at the Stade de France will now be known as Henry's Le Hand of God.

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Thierry Henry certainly isn't making any Irish eyes smile tonight.

Ireland is fuming after Henry admittedly handled a ball that he immediately played to William Gallas who put it in the net to tie Ireland at 1-1 and send France into the World Cup virtue of a 2-1 aggregate victory.

Here's a video of Henry's incident:

In my book, it's a complete shame that Ireland failed to make the World Cup because of such an obvious hand ball.

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A first galf goal by Dimitris Salpingidis of Panathinaikos ensures Euro 2004 winners Greece qualify for South Africa last appearance was in 1994, you may remember (or chose not to)� the face Sr. Maradona pulled when he scored his last goal in the World Cup finals against them.

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Que es esto? Hay gente que dice que el exito de papa Maradona en el mundial '86 no era por su gran talento o por los jales que se daba antes de los partidos, no señor! El exito siempre era debido a su cabellera y ahora quieren que Messi se haga la permanente para que le traiga los mismos poderes misticos que una vez ayudaron a Maradona volar en Mexico '86. Click to continue reading...

Okay, so as far as we can gather, Leo needs to grow his hair like Maradona for them to bond during Argentina's World Cup action. Or, it's an ode to perms. Or a warning not to get perms. Or a reminder that only extremely talented footy players are allowed to have perms.

Yeah, no idea.

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El comité disciplinario de la FIFA, dio a conocer el castigo del técnico argentino Diego Armando Maradona.

Solo dos meses fuera de cualquier actividad relacionada con el futbol y una multa de 16.500 euros, fue lo que se ganó Maradona por insultar a los medios de comunicación tras el partido de Argentina vs Uruguay.

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Jornada de selecciones entre amistosos y partidos de repesca para el Mundial.
España supera a la Argentina de Maradona por 2-1. España jugó bien ante un duro rival. Xabi Alonso tras una gran combinación y luego de penalti hizo los dos tantos españoles. Messi de penalti logró el tanto argentino. Click to continue reading...

Big Story

While FIFA's decision to seed the European group playoff match-ups—basically a mulligan for underachieving powerhouses Portugal, France and Russia—worked according to plan, along came Egypt to remind us all why football is a sport like no other.

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Fergie: Doesn't like the BBC AP Photo/Mikhail MetzelSir Alex, 'Arry, and Fat Sam may have to talk to the Beeb after all. [Telegraph]Maradona gets a two-month ban, but won't miss any real games. A few things he said at his heari... Click to continue reading...

There's never a dull moment in the life of Diego Armando Maradona. Following last month's crunch World Cup qualifying victory over Uruguay, guaranteeing his side's passage to next summer's Finals, the current Argentina coach unleashed an almighty, foul-mouthed tirade at journalists and critics.

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For his potty mouthed outburst following Argentina's win over Uruguay. (translation)

Here is an even more graphic video.

Till three weeks ago, Maradona remained unrepentant.

"I was getting it off my chest, and I don't regret it," Maradona said. "I gave my mother a kiss on the forehead and told her: 'If I was wrong I ask your forgiveness, but nobody else'.

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Ah, to be a fly on the wall.

Diego Armando Maradona, coach of the Argentine National team, and all around deity, graced FIFA's Zurich based home to answer questions on his media outburst nearly one month ago. In typical Maradona fashion, he arrived 50 minutes late to his scheduled hearing, with an envoy of limousines following him, wearing a track suit and sunglasses.

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Argentina sigue sin encontrar el camino. Tras la pauperrima campaña en las Eliminatorias 2010 (que de casualidad terminó con final feliz), el seleccionado de Maradona tenía una gran chance de comenzar a cambiar su imagen ante el mejor equipo del Mundo, España.

Pero como durante todo el proceso del Diez, Argentina sigue sin encontrar su sistema de juego, ni su solidez ni identidad.

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What is Spain's key to beating Argentina tonight? If you believe Uncle Del Bosque, it's being tranquilo ("even when you're on a plane that's about to crash..." a Brazilian reporter once told us).

"We must always be thinking about maintaining our enthusiasm, because there is no comfort zone.

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The look of the player on the pitch, a skilled & fiery workhorse, captures the fan's� imagination, but what follows?

Few goals, lots of whining, a desire to quit.

If this was said about Carlos Tevez in relation to Manchester United you might take pause to consider if he was done wrong and has a grevience.

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Bayern Munich forward Miroslav Klose is being told to stay home.
His kids have swine flu, so the team is putting the 31 year old on quarantine.
Is that virus still around? Glad I missed it (knocks on wood).
To the links:

• Sir Alex gets two-game sideline ban.

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Sabato giornata ricca di amichevoli internazionali. Tante le sfide affascinanti in programma, tra le quali quella tra il Brasile di Dunga e l'Inghilterra di Fabio Capello. Ma non meno appassionante, anche se si stratta solo di un "friendly match", è il match tra la Spagna e l'Argentina del focoso Dieguito Maradona. Click to continue reading...

Sabíamos de dos (2) hermanos de Gabriel Iván Heinze: Gustavo (alias Torta), conocido en el fútbol del interior de Entre Ríos y Hernán, también futbolista del Nacional B, Argentino A y Chile. Pero se afirma que hay un tercero (en discordia) llamado Sebastián. Click to continue reading...

During this long PFC off-season, while on hiatus from the team and on-field play, there are many steps you can take on your own, even indoors, to better improve your game. Incorporate these simple, yet effective, ball drills in your overall plan.
Wall Drills: It's as simple as the name in theory, but it can be essential to improving ball skills. Click to continue reading...

Lionel Messi continues to pick up awards left and right, as last night he recieved the Trofeo Alfredo Di Stefano, with Di Stefano himself along with Diego Maradonna presenting him with the award, to Leo's delight: "I'm prouder than ever to be beside Maradona and Di Stefano and very happy with what they have given me. Click to continue reading...

Sad news out of Germany yesterday, as it appears star goalkeeper Robert Enke took his own life.
The 32 year old was apparently struck by a train. He is survived by his wife and their adopted daughter.
The impact of this one will be felt a while over there.
Now to some links:

• Irish dude rips Raymond Domenech.

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What a trio!!!!!!

Di Stéfano, Messi and Maradona.

Lionel Messi won the "Di Stéfano trophy" given to the Best Player in Spain.

Messi won the award for his fantastic performance in La Liga last season.

marca.com

El azulgrana recibió el Trofeo Di Stéfano, que le distingue como el mejor jugador de nuestro fútbol

Maradona y Di Stéfano coronan a Messi

De manos de dos leyendas del fútbol como son Maradona y Di Stéfano, Messi recibió el preciado galardón, que pesaba como una deuda en palabras de Di Stéfano, y sucedió así a Raúl, ganador de la primera edición.

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[Sebastián Fernandez Castaño]
Ahora que la vida le sonríe, todo el mundo lo va a conocer y va a descubrir que en Sevilla juega un tal Diego Perotti, hijo de Hugo Osmar – el Mono -, quien brillara en el Boca campeón del 81, junto a Maradona y Brindisi. Click to continue reading...

Although people actually made attempts to tackle Maradona Mads Hansen recently scored what is probably the best Norwegian Second Division goal we have ever seen. Then again, it might just be the only Norwegian Second Division goal we have ever seen. Nonetheless, enjoy Mads' mad dribble. Spotted on Norwegian Football Blog

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Diego Perotti has been called up in a last minute request to Sevilla for Argentina's friendly with Spain this Saturday. As soon as Maradona realized that Jonas Gutierrez & El Kun Aguerro would not be available he made the SOS call for the young 21 year old Perotti. It appears Maradonna has had his eye on Perotti since the beginning of the Season which doesn't surprise me given that Perotti has been a outstanding asset with his 2 goals, 1 assist. Click to continue reading...

Maradona arrived in Madrid today to prepare for the friendly against Spain.

As usual, Maradona had to deal with an avalanche of reporters upon arrival..

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! Article Start >Newcastle United wing wizard, Jonas Gutierrez explained his non goal celebration for a fantasic solo effort against Peterbourough yesterday. While many fans were expecting some kind of extravaganza involving 'that' mask as Guti covered St James's Park in an invisible spider's web, he eventually made even Alan Shearer look ostentatious. Click to continue reading...