With Ireland leading 1-0 and the match level on aggregate deep into the first period of extra time, France won a free kick and Henry twice handled the ball - stopping it going out of play, then controlling it - in setting up Gallas for a header.

After the match, the Barcelona striker said Swedish referee Martin Hansson was the main culprit for not spotting the infringement.

"I will be honest, it was a handball but I'm not the ref," Henry said. "I played it. The ref allowed it. That's a question you should ask him."

Henry, who enjoyed huge popularity while playing for Arsenal in the Premier League, will be vilified by the English press, which was quick to draw comparisons between Henry's handball and the famed 'Hand of God' during the 1986 World Cup, when Diego Maradona punched the ball into the net over goalkeeper Peter Shilton to knock England out of the quarterfinals.

The online version of leading tabloid newspaper The Sun called it "Le Hand of God", adding "Cheat Thierry does a Maradona".

The incident will also re-ignite heated debate as to whether video technology should be used in football to help referees, like similar technology is used in rugby.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter and UEFA president Michel Platini are against technology, preferring instead to experiment with five officials - one additional official behind each goal - during this season's inaugural Europa League.

Ireland captain Robbie Keane was furious with Henry and said goalkeeper Shay Given had a clear view of the incident.

"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," Keane said. "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."

Ireland failed to qualify, as in 2006. But Henry would not express any sympathy for the dejected Irish, preferring instead to pinpoint his own team's recent problems.

"We suffered for two years, we have been having some problems with our press, our fans, with other people," Henry said. "It would have been better to do it in another way but, as I said, I'm not the ref."

'Trap' saddened

A "saddened" Giovanni Trapattoni hit out at the match officials but refused to blame Henry for the handball.

Immediate Irish protests were waved away by referee Hansson and after the match a relieved France coach Raymond Domenech would not get drawn on the issue.

Domenech's "congratulations" to the spirited Irish team rung hollow as he said: "I haven't had the benefit of seeing the replay, all I know is the referee gave the goal and we have qualified."

Trapattoni directed his ire not at Henry but at the officials.

"I'm not only disappointed, I'm also saddened," said Trapattoni, who after the second period of extra time went on to the park to talk to the referee.

"I told him that I'd known many Swedish players and I know the Swedish people but it's possible you've made a great mistake.

"I think he should have at least consulted the linesman.

"I don't want to say it's Henry's fault. It's all about the notion of fair play.

"But I'm sure if the referee had asked, Henry would have admitted it was a handball."

Reuter/AFP