BOSS PUTS BLAME ON OFFICIALS.

Byline: PAUL O'HEHIR

IRELAND manager Giovanni Trapattoni absolved Thierry Henry of cheating last night but accused the Swedish referee of making "a great mistake".

The Barcelona star twice handled in the box just seconds before William Gallas bundled home an extra-time winner but Martin Hansson and his officials missed the incident.

Trapattoni said: "It's a bitter evening. The referee had time to ask his linesman and he could have asked Henry - he should have asked him.

"I am sure that Henry could have confirmed if he had handled it or not but it's not easy.

"It's not the first time that a referee could have asked the player - it wouldn't have been out of place.

"Henry could have said to the referee that he handled the ball. I am sure had the referee asked, Henry would have admitted it had he asked.

"I'm not only disappointed but I am sad. I would have preferred to go out with a penalty. "We speak many, many times about fair play in football. When I go to schools and see kids I speak about the importance of fair play."

Asked did he feel that France cheated, Trapattoni refused to bite and said: "I know you have to put questions to me, I trust your intelligence but I don't wish to speak about words like this. You saw the game and so did all of Europe, they saw the situation.

"France played a good game and also in Dublin. We played better this evening and sure over the two games maybe we deserved to go to South Africa.

"But the result is different and I can only wish France and their players well ahead of the finals."

French boss Raymond Domenech was in denial about the Henry incident, merely expressing his disappointment that Ireland would not join Les Bleus at the finals.

He said: "I'm disappointed for the Irish public and their fans. In a way it's a regret that Ireland will not be there.

"Ireland caused us a lot of problems but we have achieved our objective."

CAPTION(S):

WINNERS Domenech and Henry