By Ollie Irish

Va Va Fail…

So Thierry Henry is actually the devil. Who knew!? This was a mean-spirited ‘challenge’ by the Frenchman, not to mention totally unnecessary. Somehow Henry avoided further punishment for the incident (apart from a measly $2,000 fine – what’s that, an hour’s work for TH?), which has left Hartman sidelined for several weeks.

This angered Harman’s agent, the brilliantly named Ron Waxman, who frothed: “The members of the disciplinary committee should be embarrassed and ashamed. It’s either no punishment or there must be a suspension. I’m sorry to discover that they’ve established a double standard for the treatment of their marquee players as opposed to the treatment of their rank and file.

“I hope the committee members can look themselves in the mirror at halftime of that game while Kevin Hartman, who was having a much better year than Henry, sits at home recovering from an injury at the hands of a reckless action, which is going virtually unpunished.”

Ron Waxman, there is awesomeness in you. Ron concluded: “Trying to weasel out of suspending Henry by stating that Kevin ‘stepped into the path of the ball’ is shameful. He didn’t step into the ball, and Henry took a long run-up to the ball well after the goal was scored.”

I guess Henry is frustrated that MLS is a tougher nut to crack than he thought it would be. You don’t get paid to take a holiday, Thierry.

                          

By Ollie Irish

Verdict: This kid will go far.

In Tottenham’s defence:

1) Their makeshift back four was made up of four full-backs. Team details (Via Tottenham’s official site):

Cudicini; Hutton, Walker, Corluka (Taarabt, 46), Naughton (Townsend, 46); Kranjcar (Rose, 70), Jenas, Huddlestone, Bale; Modric (Mason, 76); Keane.

Great to see Carlo Cudicini back in action, btw.

2) Spurs won the match 2-1, with goals by Robbie Keane and Gareth Bale completing the comeback. Suck on that, NY.

Post-match reaction:

                          

By Ollie Irish

Yeah, soccerball is really big in the States, apparently – Hispanics and young girls love it…

You can come out from behind your hands now. So, did you spot the deliberate mistakes? Well done. Christ that was one of the most embarrassing interviews in the history of interviews.

And let’s hear it for researching your guests. Like, any research would be nice.

                          

By Ollie Irish

Links!!!

TOP LINK WAG Danielle Lineker (pictured) hopes her teenage stepsons don’t think of her as a lingerie model. We have no idea why she might think that – BBC

Wesley Sneijder marries model Yolanthe van Thingy Thingy in Tuscany. Doves are released. Real doves – Goaly Moly

The 10 most enthralling transfer tales this summer – The Spoiler

Lecce celebrate return to Serie A by hiring wrong-faced models to help launch their new kits – FSC

Dimitar Berbatov gets new ink – Kickette

Top ten managers at the 2010 World Cup – Zonal Marking

Aston Villa want Celtic trickster Aiden McGeady for around £10m – Mirror

An embarrassing interview with Thierry Henry – MLS Talk

Reflections on South Africa 2010 – Pitch Invasion

Alex Ferguson rules out spending spree at Man Utd. Er, would that be because United have no money to spend? – Guardian

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By Ollie Irish

It’s real, Thierry. You made this happen. How does it feel?

And messing about on Jimmy Fallon:

Love that first penalty trick he pulls. Not the first time he’s done it:

                          

By Ollie Irish

Photo: RBNY

Thierry Henry has finally completed his move to the New York Red Bulls. It’s been on the cards for a while, with only the small matter of the World Cup preventing the move from taking place earlier this summer.

Henry’s scheduled to make his debut for the MLS club on 22 July, in a friendly against Tottenham. Ha! You couldn’t make that one up.

He will be ‘unveiled’ by his new club in a press conference tomorrow.

So, the big question: Is this a good move for TH or an admission that his time in the top flight is all but over? It’s not like he’s at the very end of his playing career – he’s only 32 and he could easily have moved back to the Premier League or another big European league, salary permitting.

I find it comical, if totally understandable, that the Red Bulls are hyping Henry as the antithesis of Beckham, ie. a world-class player who isn’t coming to America for the money and an easy ride. From the club’s official website:

“… Henry comes in his prime, a player one year removed from being the catalyst for Barcelona’s dominant run through La Liga and the Champions League.”

Er, not really true though. He’s about four years removed from his prime, as any Arsenal fan worth his/her salt will tell you. And he hardly featured for Barcelona last season.

And a puff quote by Henry on his new club:

“This marks an exciting new chapter in my career and life. It is an honor to play for the New York Red Bulls. I am fully aware of the team’s history and my sole goal during my time here is to help win the club its first championship.

“Knowing Red Bull’s significant commitment to soccer locally and internationally, I am confident that my teammates and I will succeed.”

Via newyorkredbulls.com