Henry calls for Ireland game to be replayed
Henry calls for Ireland game to be replayed
Friday, 20, Nov 2009 05:29
By Richard James.
French striker Thierry Henry has admitted replaying the World Cup playoff against the Republic of Ireland would be the "fairest solution" to the ongoing row over his controversial handball.
The Barcelona player clearly handled the ball in the Irish penalty area in the build-up to William Gallas' winning goal in the playoff on Wednesday night.
Since then Henry has been vilified in the Irish and English press, with the Football Association of Ireland calling on Fifa to replay the game.
The football governing body ruled against such a move today but Henry, who admitted straight after the game he had committed the foul, has now declared the replay would be the fairest way to resolve the situation.
In a statement the former Arsenal player said his handling of the ball had been as "instinctive reaction", adding: "The fairest solution would be to replay the game but it is not in my control."
Fifa declared after the FIA request the result would stand, reaffirming the rule that the referee's decision was always final.