FIFA says no way to punish Henry for handball

Football’s world governing body, FIFA, says Thierry Henry cannot be punished for his handball for the goal that helped send France to the World Cup instead of Ireland.



FIFA\'s disciplinary panel decided it had no legal right to consider the case under the governing body\'s own rules.



It says a handball offense is not classed as \"a serious infringement\" necessary to prosecute Henry under FIFA\'s Disciplinary Code.



FIFA said in a statement that there is no other legal text that would allow the committee to impose sanctions for any incidents missed by match officials.



FIFA\'s executive committee, led by President Sepp Blatter, referred the case to the disciplinary panel last month.



Henry touched the ball with his left hand and arm before passing for William Gallas to score the decisive goal in a playoff in Paris last November.



France drew the match 1-1 after extra time to beat Ireland 2-1 on aggregate.



Following a worldwide outcry after the match, the Football Association of Ireland asked FIFA and the French federation for the match to be replayed.



FIFA says the result must stand because decisions made on the field of play could not be reviewed.