No replay says FIFA

Football’s world governing body (FIFA) has rejected Ireland\'s request to replay their World Cup qualifier against France, but Thierry Henry said a rematch would be the fairest solution to resolve the furor over his extra-time handball that set up the deciding goal.



FIFA said it could not interfere and the referee\'s decision to allow the goal stands.



FIFA said in a statement that during matches, the referees take decisions and those decisions are final.



Henry used his left hand to keep the ball from going out of play, and then passed to William Gallas, who headed in the decisive goal.



At the time of Henry\'s handball, which went unpunished by Swedish referee Martin Hansson despite fervent appeals by Ireland players, the match was 17 minutes from reaching a penalty shootout.



The 1-1 draw at Stade de France put the French through to next year\'s World Cup in South Africa 2-1 on aggregate.