French sympathy for Irish, Swedes blast ref

There was plenty of sympathy for the Republic of Ireland in the French media on Thursday morning after the controversial extra-time goal that denied them a place in next summer's World Cup finals.

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National newspaper L'Equipe ran the headline 'Hand of God' on its back page after skipper Thierry Henry admitted to handling the ball in the lead-up to William Gallas' goal which secured an aggregate victory.

Le Monde admitted the goal was a fraught ending to a stuttering qualification campaign for the French, with their main headline reading 'Blues relieved, Irish disgusted'.

France coach Raymond Domenech has come in for criticism during his side's below-par campaign and the manner with which qualification to South Africa was finally accomplished has not convinced the French media.

Former World Cup winner Bixente Lizarazu, who is now a television and radio pundit, was outspoken following the match describing the performance as "catastrophic".

Speaking on TF1 he said: "We're going to go the World Cup, but we go to the locker-room with our heads bowed. It was not something to be proud of. I'm not going to party."

French Football Federation president Jean-Pierre Escalettes admitted he understood the Irish frustrations.

"We were stunned and were not able to develop our game - I understand that the Irish are frustrated," he told L'Equipe. "They must forget this evening and use it for the future.

"You have to take a philosophical approach to this match. Football is played on small details, however, qualification is still beautiful."

Meanwhile, in Sweden, referee Martin Hansson has been condemed by his compatriots for missing Henry's handball and costing Ireland a place at the World Cup.

Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet reported: "There are approximately 80 million Irishmen around the world. We guarantee they all feel pretty bad today. But I sincerely hope there are three Swedes that feel even worse.

"They are Martin Hansson and (referee's assistants) Stefan Wittberg and Fredrik Nilsson."

They concluded by adding: "There will be no World Cup for Ireland and I assume that Team Hansson has also forfeited it's right to continue to take charge of major international matches. Anything else would be a further insult to the Irish nation."

• Does Thierry Henry still deserve his place at the top of the Castrol Rankings following his controversial handball? Join the debate.