Soccer:Thierry Henry, heavily criticised by French fans for the controversial handball that saw off the Republic of Ireland in the World Cup playoffs, is not worried about the reception he will receive when France host Spain tomorrow night.
The France captain caused a furore with a blatant handball in the second-leg at the Stade de France last November. Henry handled the ball to set up the William Gallas goal that gave France a 1-1 draw and a 2-1 aggregate win.
"No fear at all," Henry replied today when asked about his feelings about returning to Paris for France's first match since the controversy. "This game is not about reconciliation (with French fans), we just want to know where we stand against one of the best teams in the world.
"Unfortunately, I knew what would happen afterwards but it hasn't changed me. It just allowed me to see the real nature of some."
Henry, who often plays as a left winger for France, also said he sometimes disagreed with coach Raymond Domenech about tactics.
"I've already said that a thousand times before but I'd rather play up front," Henry said. "(Franck Ribery) would rather play on the left, I'd rather play up front but the coach makes the decisions even though we don't always agree."
Asked about Ribery and Henry's positions against Spain, Domenech gave a trademark answer: "Everything is possible."