Henry admits hand ball

France’s World Cup play-off victory over the Republic of Ireland on November 18 was laced with controversy, and Thierry Henry has confessed that his part in the decisive goal was indeed illegal.

As the midway point approached in extra time, les Bleus scored the decisive goal, William Gallas heading in from close range after Henry had knocked the ball across the six-yard box. The Irish protested furiously, adamant that the Barcelona man had handled the ball, and replays proved them to be correct.

Even Henry would admit his guilt after the match. “There was a hand, but I'm not the referee,” he told the press.

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 quarter-finals after Argentina's Diego Maradona punched the ball into the net over goalkeeper Peter Shilton.

The Gallas goal tied the score at 1-1. Before the goal, Ireland had been leading 1-0 and the match was level on aggregate.