PARIS: However deep the disillusionment over Thierry Henry's cheating in Paris, faith in the game is being restored by the public outpouring of revulsion to the enormity of the striker's offence.
If fans had accepted Henry's double handball with a shrug of the shoulders, believing that cynical acts should pass without censure, then football really would be going to hell in a handcart at va-va-voom velocity. But fortunately not.
In Spain this weekend, the Barcelona forward was vilified by Athletic Bilbao followers.
In England, Liverpool supporters gave a touching welcome to Shay Given, Manchester City's heartbroken Irish keeper. Even in Henry's native France, a poll showed 80 per cent felt Les Bleus should not go to the World Cup 2010 in South Africa. Fans hate miscarriages of justice, particularly such obvious ones.
Many of these devotees are parents, knowing the task of teaching children sportsmanship has been complicated by a famous figure's gamesmanship.
Whether or not Fifa has the wisdom and courage to punish Henry, it seems the verdict has been delivered by those who care about sport – the fans.
The chorus of disapproval will lessen over time, but Henry's cheating will be neither forgiven, nor forgotten.
Amid this week's myriad distractions from the Puskas Stadium to Goodison Park and the Emirates, attention will also focus on an operating theatre in Manchester where Sam Allardyce undergoes heart surgery.
Encountered at a dinner in Doha 12 days ago, the Blackburn Rovers manager enthused about life at Ewood, about the strong characters in his dressing room, such as Ryan Nelsen and Paul Robinson, and about his deep love of football.
An expert organiser of teams, Allardyce has only recently begun to be properly acclaimed. All of football will wish him well this week.