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Ireland's Robbie Keane (L) challenges France's Sebastien Squillaci - Source: Reuters -
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This week Ireland suffer daylight robbery at the hands of Henry, the All Whites grab their One Shot for Glory, Lionel Messi gets wigged and Arsenal do super cute stuff for charity.
Ireland robbed by Hand O' Frog
This week, in the midst of World Cup madness, there was only one story that could make the top of Football: The Week that Was, and that is the story of how one nation stomach-churningly cheated their way to South Africa.
The infamous incident, now being hailed as WORSE than Maradona's Hand Of God against England in 1986, occurred during the France v Ireland World Cup second-leg play-off in Paris on Thursday when a controversial William Gallas goal in extra time sent France to next year's World Cup with a 2-1 aggregate playoff win.
France Captain Thierry Henry, who couldn't have been more blatant in his handling of the ball had he stopped mid game, took three other balls from his pocket and started juggling them in a circus-style before feeding Gallas, has now been hailed as Le Cheat of all Le Cheats, sparking outrage across the world.
French ledge David Ginola was just one of those who blasted the Barcelona ace:
"I do not feel very proud to be French at the moment," he of silver foxyness said.
"Something should be done. The whole world saw it was handball. I am very embarrassed."
Henry admitted his guilt almost immediately after the incident - kind of.
"I will be honest, it was a handball," Henry, hon honned. "But I'm not the ref. I played it, the ref allowed it. That's a question you should ask him."
Although on Friday Henry went one step further after some "advice" from his former boss at Arsenal, Arsene Wenger, by "apologising" via the heartfelt medium of Twitter.
"I'm not the referee," he tweeted. "But if I hurt someone I'm sorry."
The entire nation of Ireland are of course very hurt and have called for a reply, but after thinking about it for all of about three and a half seconds, FIFA, surprisingly, said, er, no.
Which may or may not have anything to do with Ireland international Damien Duff who might have to find himself another sponsor after he accused FIFA and Adidas of fixing France's flight into the World Cup.
"Do I think it's a conspiracy? Definitely.
"FIFA want the big teams in the World Cup, they want France in the World Cup, and it may sound silly but they want teams sponsored by Adidas.
"Adidas sponsor the World Cup, they sponsor France. Michel Platini has a lot of influence as well," Defender Duff, who is sponsored 100k-a-year to wear Adidas boots, said.
All White on the Night
In other World Cup stuff this week, little old New Zealand grabbed their One Shot for Glory by the balls after heading themselves into South Africa.
The winning goal came courtesy of Plymouth Argyle striker Rory Fallon, who netted the $10 million header for the Kiwis, helping them reach their first World Cup since 1982.
After the match, All Whites and Blackburn Rovers skipper Ryan Nelsen told reporters he was hoping to get an "easy" group in the 2010 draw in December, while the rest of the world are hoping, that at a mere 715-1 to win the World Cup, they get New Zealand.
TVNZ.co.nz PLUG: Have a listen to this week's tvnz.co.nz's TalkFootball podcast where we review the historic game and have interviews with some of the heroes of the night - HERE!
C-Ron, whose voodoo curse seems to have been lifted, will go to the World Cup ball after all, after Portugal beat Bosnia to reach the finals.
Golden Guss Hiddink's luck seems to have run out as Russia suffered a shock defeat at the hands of Slovenia, meaning the world will miss out on watching goalscoring firecracker and 12-year-old school kid look-a-like Andrei Arshavin in South Africa. Shame.
Greece also made it to the World Cup with a win over Ukraine, while Algeria took their lives in their hands to beat Egypt 1-0 in a "bruising playoff" in neutral Sudan.
OTHER STUFF
The Morticia Addams look-a-like placenta curing lady who has treated Liverpool and Man City stars and was about to treat Arsenal's Robin van Persie's ankle-knack is to be investigated by Belgrade health officials.
Arsenal do cute stuff for Charity
Alex Ferguson might have a touchline ban after being done for his comments about ref Alan Whiley - but that doesn't mean he won't be in the dugout for Everton v United this weekend because his two-match ban doesn't come into force until United play bottom of the table Portsmouth a week later, silly!
Lionel Messi gets wigged in order to play better for Argentina in a Maradona style.
AND FINALLY
The internet is a wonderful thing. Especially when it throws up images like that of Henry the juggler and Henry the Baller within moments of Henrygate occurring.
The Irish might not be laughing, but that doesn't mean fellow football fans can't have a giggle at one of the most talented footballers spectacular hand-fall from grace. HERE!
