..REPLAY IT; Cheat Henry & Robbie Keane plead to get rematch on in France.

Byline: JOHN CROSS

THIERRY HENRY last night admitted replaying France's play-off would be the "fairest solution" to the World Cup row.

Republic of Ireland skipper Robbie Keane has demanded the request be acted upon, although Henry did not make a full apology for his controversial handball (left). Former Arsenal star Henry said: "Naturally I feel embarrassed at the way that we won and feel extremely sorry for the Irish, who definitely deserve to be in South Africa.

"Of course the fairest solution would be to replay the game but it is not in my control.

"There is little more I can do apart from admit the ball had contact with my hand leading up to our equalising goal and I feel very sorry for the Irish."

And although the Barcelona star admits that he handled the ball he still insisted yesterday that it was not deliberate.

Henry added: "I have said at the time and I will say again that yes I handled the ball. I am not a cheat and never have been. It was an instinctive reaction to a ball that was coming extremely fast in a crowded penalty area.

"People are viewing a slow motion version of what happened. If people look at it in full speed you will see that it was an instinctive reaction. It is impossible to be anything other than that."

Irish skipper Keane said: "I would like to thank Thierry Henry for his statement that in his opinion a replay would be the fairest option. As captain of the French team, to make such a statement took courage and honour.

"I would also be happy for a replay to happen in the interest of fair play so that whichever team qualifies, can do so with their heads held high."

However, FIFA yesterday rejected Ireland's formal request for a replay, saying: "The result of the match cannot be changed and the match cannot be replayed."

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger admits he was "proud" of the way the French public had been ashamed at the way qualification was achieved.

Wenger said: "The French Football Association has to call for the replay. Thierry Henry has done so much for French football that French football has to help him.

"I am proud of the way the whole of France reacted."

CAPTION(S):

NOW WHAT Henry with Raymond Domenech