The incident in the World Cup play-off against the Republic of Ireland was the main subject of an emergency meeting of the FIFA executive committee in Cape Town today.

However, the body rejected a proposal - brought in response to the handball - to fast-track the experimental system of having five officials on the pitch, with two extra assistant referees behind each goal-line, for the World Cup.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter announced the proceedings against Henry at a news conference and although he added it was too early to speculate on the outcome, the Barcelona forward could face a range of sanctions, with a one-match ban perhaps the most likely.

Asked why FIFA were making a special case of Henry when so many players commit handballs, Blatter said: "This is a matter of the disciplinary committee and it's not a question of this player or another - it was blatant unfair play and was shown all around the world, but I don't know what the outcome will be."

"I have not said that Thierry Henry will be punished, I have said that Thierry Henry will be examined by the disciplinary committee of FIFA."

Blatter said players should realise that the eyes of the world will be on them next summer.

"I appeal to all the players and coaches to observe this fair play. In 2010 we want to prove that football is more than just kicking a ball but has social and cultural value," he added.

"So we ask the players, 'Please observe fair play', so they will be an example to the rest of the world."

The handball led to William Gallas' decisive goal that ended Irish dreams of reaching the World Cup. The outcry has now led to FIFA being pressed to announce an inquiry into the possibility of using technology or extra officials.

Blatter said the World Cup would come too soon to allow the inclusion of the system currently being trialled in the Europa League, and he was backed up by German executive committee member Franz Beckenbauer.

The FIFA president said: "The executive committee came to the decision that the referee is not any longer consistent with the quality and the speed of the game and the interest of television and 32 cameras as we will have in the World Cup.

"We shall have a look at technology or additional persons and this shall be done by a committee but not the referees committee alone, it will be done by the football, technical and medical committees too.

"The experiments with the Europa League shall go on into the knock-out stages next year but it has been decided for the World Cup 2010 there is no change in the refereeing: one referee, two assistants and a fourth official."

Beckenbauer told Press Association Sport: "Only referees in the Europa League will have used this system. Referees from Africa and South America and everywhere else would have had to arrive at the World Cup to use this new system for the first time and I don't think it is fair to ask that of them."

FIFA also warned Argentina coach Diego Maradona not to try to circumvent his two-month ban from football activities by turning up to Friday's draw with media accreditation.

Maradona was banned for an X-rated outburst live on television following Argentina's last-gasp qualification for the finals.

FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke said: "If he shows up for accreditation - no way. It's not just football matches he has been banned by the disciplinary committee but for all football activities.

"There has been rumours he could join the Argentina delegation but we will say 'please be aware he is banned and make sure he is not coming'.

"If he's coming as a journalist for a media company his accreditation will not be delivered. He can come to South Africa but not into the FIFA system. He's banned for two months but he will be here for the World Cup."