Thierry Henry is out of the World Cup – at least he’s out of Keith McDonnell’s World Cup.
Irishman McDonnell is still furious over Thierry’s handball that helped France beat Ireland in the play-off and qualify for this summer’s finals in South Africa.
But being the Europe MD of bookmakers Bodog.com he can do something about it.
Henry clearly handled the ball in extra time and then set up William Gallas to score the goal that knocked the Irish out of the World Cup.
So McDonnell has taken the decision to scratch Henry from any World Cup involvement meaning any goals he scores will not be recognised by his company, converting drawn games into wins for punters who bet against them.
For example, if you back a draw in a France game and Henry scores making them 1-0 winners, you will still get paid. This also applies to a first goalscorer and each-way markets too. So, if you back a player to be the highest scorer throughout the tournament and your man comes fourth, one below Henry, you would be paid as if he came third.
Don’t worry though, if you do place a bet for France to win, all of his goals will still be counted.
McDonnell comments: “I want to enjoy the World Cup and the only way I can do that is if Thierry Henry is no longer part of it. He has already ruined my World Cup and I want to make sure he can do no more damage.”
An estimated £750m from around the world will be placed on the Cup this year, up from £500m in 2006, although internet betting could see it grow even more. According to Bodog, more than £150m of this is from the UK, of which around half will be on the England side.
With France’s easy group matches against the unfancied South Africa, Mexico and Uruguay, it’s likely Henry’s goals will be a factor in the top goalscorer market as well as the tournament as a whole.
more information at www.bodog.com