Stoke City: Huth hands his support to Henry in World Cup row
The former German international says he – and his follow professionals – would have done the same as Thierry Henry when he illegally teed-up France's crucial World Cup equaliser against Ireland.
"I would have done it, if that was me," he said candidly, "and I'm sure so would any other player in that situation.
"If you can get an advantage and the ref doesn't see it, then so be it. We all do it.
"I pull a shirt to get an advantage. I do all sorts to get an advantage within the limits of the game."
And he has plenty of sympathy for Henry, adding: "He's just been unlucky because the initial ball hit his hand. Can you imagine if he had then gone to the ref and said 'stop the goal'. They would have killed him in France.
"And if it had happened for Ireland, they would be saying 'see you later French'."
Huth – notwithstanding the presence of Irish duo Liam Lawrence and Glenn Whelan in the Stoke dressing room – also agreed with FIFA's decision to reject Ireland's call for a replay.
"It's just what happens on the day," he argued philosophically. "It's unlucky for Ireland, but if you start to do that (order replays) you would get all sorts of protests after games.
"We lost a World Cup on a goal that didn't happen," he cheekily added, in reference to Geoff Hurst's second against West Germany in the 1966 final. "Shall we play that again now?"
Huth's own World Cup ambitions remain in the balance, meanwhile, after recently being named in a provisional German squad before being omitted when the party was trimmed down.
"Yes, I got into the provisional squad, but then I got a three-match suspension and so I didn't think I would get back into the squad.
"But I think there is still plenty of time for me because there are another seven months before the finals start.
"To get in I probably have to play centre-back, that would be helpful, and play as many games as I can of course.
"Hopefully, people will come and watch me when German football closes down over the winter."
Huth's wish to play centre-half should be granted tomorrow as he seems likely to switch from right-back to the heart of Stoke's back four to plug the gap left by skipper Abdoulaye Faye's one-match ban.
"Yes, it is my position," he stated unequivocally, "but I don't mind playing right-back because when you're asked to do something, you do it. If the gaffer asks me, it is no problem."
Huth acknowledges the loss of five points from winning positions in Stoke's last two outings against Wolves and Hull, but phlegmatically insists those blows must be taken on the chin during the course of your average season.
"It is unlike Stoke to be leading, then lose or draw," he acknowledged. "But that is sometimes how football is. You go through patches where everything seems to go against you, but then in 10 games it can be the complete opposite.
"In the course of a season, I'm sure we will win when we are 1-0 behind. We take it as it comes and there is a good spirit about us."
But Huth is refusing to be hoodwinked into any kind of complacency by the sight of Portsmouth lying at the foot of the Premier League ahead of tomorrow's clash – and believes the City faithful remain as vital as ever at HQ.
"I am not sure they deserve to be down there and they have been in some good form of late," he said.
"They are a dangerous team. We lost to them in the Carling Cup 4-0, so we know how they play.
"When I played here for Middlesbrough last season it was a horrible place to come, but in a good way. The fans always do their best, whether on TV or not. They always give us a lift.
"We have had a few results at home which maybe we should have won, but hopefully we can do it this time."
JUMP TO IT: Robert Huth, pictured training yesterday, said he would have done the same if he was in Thierry Henry's boots. Left: Henry looks on anxiously to see if his misdemeanour has been spotted by the match officials.
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