Referees should follow rugby's example, says Henry

LONDON, Oct 18 (Reuters) Arsenal captain Thierry Henry believes soccer should follow rugby's example and encourage better communication between referees and players.

The France striker was left incensed after having a late equaliser ruled out for alleged handball during Arsenal's 1-0 Champions League defeat by CSKA Moscow yesterday.

Spanish referee Mejuto Gonzalez booked Henry after the striker appeared to control the ball on his chest before firing home in the 86th minute.

''At first I thought he'd given an offside and disallowed it,'' Henry told Arsenal's website. ''But to say that I handled it and to give me a yellow card for handball when I didn't is wrong.

''People talk about footballers behaving like rugby players and accepting decisions. But rugby players can talk with the referee. We can't.

''When you come at them, try to speak to them then they don't give an answer and won't even speak to you. That is difficult to take.

''I would like the game to be a bit like rugby at times because in football you just cannot speak to referees.'' CSKA leapfrogged Arsenal to take top spot in Group G on seven points with the London side on six after three matches. Porto have four points while Hamburg SV are yet to get off the mark.

Henry praised CSKA for playing ''some brilliant stuff at times'' but says Arsenal are on track for the knockout rounds.

''We just need to keep our heads up now. We're not in a bad situation like we have been in the past and we have to make sure that we do something about it.'' Arsenal next face CSKA at the Emirates stadium on Nov. 1.

Reuters AY VV1830