Fury After Henry's World Cup 'Hand Of Gaul' French footballer Thierry Henry has admitted handling a ball before a crucial goal that sent his team to the World Cup at the expense of Ireland.
The point drew the tournament qualifier in Saint Denis, outside Paris, 1-1.
Before the goal, Ireland had been leading 1-0 and the match was level on aggregate.
But, in the first period of extra time, Henry twice handled the ball - stopping it going out of play, then controlling it - to set up his teammate William Gallas' scoring header.
After the match, Barcelona striker Henry said Swedish referee Martin Hansson was the main culprit for not spotting the infringement.
The player said: "I will be honest, it was a handball. But I'm not the ref. I played it. The ref allowed it."
The former Arsenal star's foul play spurred comparisons to the infamous 'Hand of God' during the 1986 World Cup.
England were knocked out of that tournament's quarterfinals after Argentina's Diego Maradona punched the ball into the net over goalkeeper Peter Shilton.
Ireland captain Robbie Keane was furious with Henry and said his team's goalkeeper Shay Given had a clear view of the incident.
Tottenham striker Keene said: "We knew anyway. When you see the reaction of Shay, he's two yards away from it. You don't get a reaction like that (otherwise).
"(Henry) almost caught it and walked into the net with it.
"He's an absolutely top player and has been for a long time, but it was a clear handball. He actually dragged it in from going out. I wouldn't expect it from anybody."
After winning 1-0 in Dublin on Saturday, France won 2-1 on aggregate, and will play in its fourth straight World Cup. Ireland failed to qualify, as in 2006.
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