Henry's popularity undented by Irish handball

January 2 – Thierry Henry’s notorious handball offence against Ireland has done little to diminish his popularity among French sports fans.

The Barcelona and former Arsenal striker placed third in L’Equipe’s annual poll of the nation’s favourite sportsmen and women behind rugby player Sebastien Chabal and world rally champion Sebastien Loeb.

That did represent a fall in his popularity from last year when he topped the poll, but the furore that followed the Irish game could have been expected to hit him harder.

Henry set up the crucial extra-time winner for the French in a Paris playoff game when the referee missed what was a blatant hand-ball.

He was widely criticised round the world for his action and world governing body FIFA has put him under investigation, although he is fully expected to be part of the French World Cup squad in South Africa.

Chabal’s rise to the top follows his return from English club rugby to play for Paris side Racing Metro in the Top-14 elite division and his performances for the national side.