AHERN FURY.. SARKO'S DEFENCE.

ANGER over the defeat in Paris reached the Dail with politicians angrily rounding on football's governing body Fifa.

Justice Minister Dermot Ahern led calls for a replay and said Henry's handball was deliberate.

He added: "Irish supporters woke up today thinking this was a horrible nightmare.

"When you look at the Irish fans they have never given FIFA or anyone any difficulties when they go abroad. The least they deserve is fair play. We are being unfairly treated in this instance. Even some people on the French side have admitted it wasn't fair."

Mr Ahern, a passionate soccer fan, was the first to call for the replay.

He said: "They probably won't grant it as we are minnows in world football but let's put them on the spot. It's the least we owe the thousands of devastated young fans around the country."

Arriving at an EU summit in Brussels, Taoiseach Brian Cowen said: "Fair play is a fundamental part of the game." He said he would discuss it with the French President Nicholas Sarkozy but did not want "to raise it to high diplomatic status".

Meanwhile, France's political class and soccer administrators yesterday defended Henry against claims of cheating.

Sports Minister Rama Yade gave Henry her qualified backing. She said: "Thierry Henry himself admitted he touched the ball with his hand. Only he knows if it was deliberate or not. As we don't know if it was deliberate or not, you can't talk about cheating.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy concentrated instead on his team's victory.

He shrugged: "I was afraid.

It was painful but the most important thing is that France has qualified. It was a battle against a very courageous Irish side who fought really well."