FIFA boss absolves Henry in hand-ball flap

Last Updated: Sunday, November 29, 2009 | 11:27 AM ET

The Associated Press

A television image grab shows Thierry Henry, left, handing the ball in France's 1-1 draw against Ireland on Nov. 18 that propelled the French into the World Cup and elminated the Irish. (OFF/AFP/Getty Images)

FIFA president Sepp Blatter says it wasn't Thierry Henry's responsibility to tell the referee he handled the ball in the buildup to France's goal against Ireland in the World Cup playoff.

Henry handled the ball in the lead-up to William Gallas' tying goal in a 1-1 draw at Stade de France on Nov. 18 that gave France a 2-1 aggregate win and a place at next year's World Cup at the expense of the Irish.

Blatter was quoted as saying in Sunday's edition of L'Equipe newspaper that it wasn't Henry's "responsibility to tell the referee [Martin Hansson] " and that "the referee should have taken the time to reflect rather than immediately awarding the goal."

Blatter said he called Henry because the Barcelona striker had tried to phone him.

© The Canadian Press, 2009