Sense of fair play often lost in the heat of battle, admits Simpson

Nov 20 2009 by Mark Douglas, The Journal

And he points out that with his advancing years, the stakes were even higher for Henry. The 32-year-old is unlikely to be in contention to play in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and Simpson believes that might have been praying on his mind as qualification began to slip away from France’s grasp. “It was just unfair on the Irish lads. It’s a shame for them – it was a blatant handball,” he said.

“If my team-mate had done it and it had nothing to do with me then I’d be buzzing that we got through. I’d probably shake his hand behind closed doors and congratulate him.

“Would I do it? I honestly don’t know. You don’t know what’s it like to be in that situation, when there’s 15 minutes to go and you need a goal to go to the World Cup. It is probably the last World Cup that Henry will play in so if you can get away with it, I suspect most footballers would do it. Obviously, it’s a shame for Ireland.” A sense of perspective regarding Henry’s devious act does not detract from Simpson’s displeasure at the final result.

With friends in the camp he was desperate for Ireland to make it to South Africa and felt especially disappointed for former Newcastle United winger Damien Duff, who was a popular member of the St James’ Park dressing room. “I know some of the lads who play for Ireland – I grew up with them and have played with them. I know Darron Gibson, Paul McShane and Keith Andrews from Blackburn – I felt for them,” he said.

“I sent Darron a message after the game and I felt for him because they played so, so well. And I feel for Damien, too, because he might not get another chance to play in a World Cup. It’s disappointing and you feel for them – they did so well.”