FIFA to investigate Henry, Blatter says sorry

FIFA president Sepp Blatter said Wednesday Thierry Henry will face a disciplinary investigation and apologised to Ireland for making public details of their request for a ’33rd’ place at the World Cup.

Blatter has been slammed for dithering and empathising with Henry whose blatant handball allowed France to qualify for next year’s tournament at the expense of the Irish.

“The FIFA disciplinary committee will open an investigation … concerning the behaviour of the player Thierry Henry,” he said after an extraordinary meeting of the FIFA executive committee here.

“It was blatant unfair play and was seen all around the world. I don’t know the outcome of the disciplinary committee, let them make the decision.

“Fair play must be maintained in our game.”

Ireland were denied a place in the finals by a goal that should have been disallowed because Henry used his hand to control the ball before setting up William Gallas to score.

The goal sent France to South Africa with a 2-1 aggregate win, with Ireland, trying but failing to have the match replayed.

In a last ditch bid to make the final draw on Friday, the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) privately asked Blatter if they could be included as a 33rd team.

But Blatter made the request public in light-hearted comments in Johannesburg earlier this week which left Irish football officials infuriated and insulted.

Blatter said he was sorry.

“I would like to express my regrets for the wrong interpretation of what I said. I regret what I have created and I’m sorry to the Ireland football confederation for these headlines going around the world,” he said.

“It’s a pity I communicated in this way. Sorry again.”

On Tuesday, Ireland’s assistant manager, Liam Brady, branded the FIFA supremo’s handling of the fallout from the Henry affair “an embarrassment.”