France clinched a spot in the World Cup Wednesday after William Gallas capped off a controversial play with a goal against Ireland in extra time. Gallas’ goal proved to be the last in a 1-1 tie between the two teams, ultimately eliminating Ireland from playing in this summer’s tournament in South Africa.

In the 33rd minute, Irish striker Robbie Keane scored first, pushing the Irish into an aggregate tie with France (1-1). Still tied after a full 90 minutes, both squads were forced to play extra time. France finally broke the tie with a goal in the 104th minute, but it wouldn’t pass without controversy. On the play that led to the goal, Florent Malouda connected  on free kick with captain Thierry Henry, who was offside. Henry then clearly handed the ball twice before controlling it and crossing into William Gallas, who awkwardly headed it in the goal. Immediately Ireland looked for a call from the head referee and side judges, but their search was to no avail. Gallas’ goal ultimately stood, sending France to South Africa and sending Ireland back home.

Still angry over the play, the Football Association of Ireland filed a grievance Thursday with FIFA, asking them for a replay of the match.

Other than France, five other teams qualified for the World Cup Wednesday. Algeria, Greece, Portugal, Slovenia and Uruguay also cemented their places in the 32 team World Cup field.

Twitterers in Ireland and around the world were displeased with Henry and the referees in Wednesday’s match:

1. 
   eoinom (Dublin, Ireland) Thierry Henry&FIFA have disgraced the world of football&robbed Ireland of their deserved place in the World Cup Finals-an absolute disgrace. 19 Nov 2009 from web
   
   
2. 
   raikkonenfans @mckaycnn (Meath, Ireland) the match surely should be replayed or henry should be banned from the world cup 19 Nov 2009 from web
   
   
3. 
   judemeche (Washington, D.C.) Luck of the Irish? Henry with a handball and Ireland is out of the World Cup….awful non-call 19 Nov 2009 from TweetDeck
   
   
4. 
   Craigy_Anderson (East Kilbride, Scotland) Any failure by FIFA to act against Thierry Henry would make a mockery of their ‘Fair Play’ campaign 20 Nov 2009 from Echofon
   
   
5. 
   diskojuice (London, England) Boycotting any products endorsed by Thierry Henry after his cheating handball prevented the Irish from reaching World Cup Final !! 19 Nov 2009 from web

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Others have mentioned that complaints with Henry have gone too far:

1. 
   MisterHands (Ireland) Okay, this whole Thierry Henry/World Cup situation is getting out of hand. 19 Nov 2009 from TweetDeck
   
   
2. 
   Homzy (Manchester, England) thinks talk of a France v Ireland replay, and a World Cup ban for Thierry Henry, is ridiculous. He cheated but it’s time to move on. 20 Nov 2009 from web

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Some are even linking Henry’s hand ball with Diego Maradona’s “Hand of God”:

1. 
   ANDREWBAILEYuk (Durham, England) Thierry Henry, I’m real happy for you and I’ma let you finish, but Diego Maradona had the best handball of ALL TIME! 19 Nov 2009 from web
   
   
2. 
   bombayboogie (Highdelberg, Germany) RT @therealnihal Is it true that Thierry Henry and Maradona are forming a handball team? 19 Nov 2009 from web
   
   
3. 
   ringbark (Wirral, England) A big hand for Thierry Henry for the most famous goal in international football since Maradona. 20 Nov 2009 from TwitterBerry

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