Henry's handball incident sent to disciplinary team

Abu Dhabi: The findings of Fifa's disciplinary committee investigating the infamous handball incident involving French captain Thierry Henry and the trouble at the World Cup qualifications match involving Algeria and Egypt will be out sometime in February next year, Fifa Secretary General Jerome Valcke said on Tuesday.

Fifa last week decided to open a disciplinary case against Henry for handling the ball in the qualifications play-off against Ireland last month.

Earlier, following the violence in the Algeria-Egypt matches in Cairo and then in Sudan, Fifa also referred the case to the independent disciplinary panel.

"I think nothing will happen before the end of the year. One case is easier than the other; the Algeria-Egypt case is a difficult one," said Valcke.

"The disciplinary committee is collecting a lot of information from both sides and also from the Sudan FA. It takes time and I think there will be some hearings of the two FA presidents and officials early next year. I expect a decision after that, it is difficult to see something happening before February 2010," Valcke said.

"In Henry's case it can be faster. It will be based on many video clippings. Then the disciplinary committee may call Thierry Henry to make his explanation. And only after that will a decision be made," he said. "However, the mere fact that it is referred to the disciplinary committee does not mean that Henry is guilty and will face some sanction. The independent disciplinary committee will come out with its own finding ... but all this will definitely not be before the end of this year."