Henry controlled the ball with his hand before crossing for William Gallas to head the decisive strike in Wednesday's play-off second leg in Paris which saw the Republic of Ireland's World Cup dream end.

Football's world governing body FIFA today dismissed the Football Association of Ireland's pleas for a replay.

Wenger believes something must be done to ensure such incidents can be prevented in future.

"Football accepts that a billion people see it, one guy doesn't see it and it is the one who prevails. It cannot work," the 60-year-old Arsenal manager told ArsenalTV.

"We cannot accept that an obvious decision is wrong because we do not want to give ourselves all the needed help we can have in the modern game.

"Being at the game, I saw the referee giving a goal knowing that something was wrong and that is really sad.

"He didn't see it, I can understand, the linesman didn't see it, but they couldn't get any help.

"In the end, he gave a goal, already knowing that it wasn't a goal. We cannot accept that in our sport and you have to do something about it."

Wenger believes there were clear indications - namely the reaction of the players - that Swedish referee Martin Hansson had made the wrong decision.

"For two reasons; first of all Henry didn't celebrate at the start, that gives an indication to the referee, but spontaneously 11 Irish players came to see the referee," added Wenger.

"That doesn't happen if it's not something obvious. You have two, three or four but not 11 and that convinced him to go and see the linesman as well and say 'Listen, I didn't see what happened, can you help me?'

"The linesman as well didn't see it, then what could help him is somebody outside, the fourth official."

Wenger is an advocate for video technology, so long as the referee remains in charge.

"In my opinion the referee should keep control of the game, but when he wants help he has that resource available," he said.

"We cannot sort out all the cases but we have to sort out as many cases as we can."

Frenchman Wenger was dissatisfied with the way his compatriots reached next summer's World Cup finals.

"For the sense of justice it is quite embarrassing to see," he said. "I think even France is embarrassed.

"We didn't play well at all and we won the game and won the qualification with a goal that was not a goal."

Meanwhile, Sunderland chairman and former Ireland striker Niall Quinn described the goal as "the biggest injustice I have ever seen in sport".

He told the club's official website, www.safc.com: "I was at the first leg and it was disappointing because France were lucky on the night. We hoped it would be us who got the breaks in France but it wasn't to be.

"People talk about Maradona's Hand of God goal but I'd say that [Henry's goal] was the biggest injustice I've ever seen in sport. Maybe I feel it more because I'm Irish.

"All that I believe in and all that I love about sport was shattered when I saw something like that. It's possibly the lowest I've felt at any sporting moment in my life."

Former England captain David Beckham has defended Henry.

"I honestly didn't think Thierry meant it," said Beckham.

Asked whether he would have done the same thing in a similar situation, Beckham told Sky Sports News: "Who knows in that situation?

"You're playing in a qualifier to go through to the World Cup, you don't know what you're doing.

"I've been involved in big games and reacted to certain things and looked back and thought I was wrong to do that."

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Stoke manager Tony Pulis, who must decide whether to include Republic midfielders Glenn Whelan and Liam Lawrence in his plans for Sunday's game against Portsmouth, is another who advocates the use of video replays.

He said: "You are almost saying that cheats have prospered. That can't be right in sport, especially with the money that is involved in professional football at the moment.

"There is enough money around to sort (video replays) out and get it done and everybody wants what is right.

"Unfortunately, Ireland have been punished by someone who has done something wrong.

"Henry is a great player, one of the best I have ever seen in English football, and this will be a stain on his character without a question of a doubt, but I feel it was more instinctive than anything else."

Stoke defender Robert Huth, who was banned for three games after video evidence was used to charge him with violent conduct after hitting West Ham defender Matthew Upson, revealed his sympathies for Henry.

The German said: "I feel for him because every player would do the same if they had the chance. If you can gain an advantage and the referee doesn't see it, that is the way the game is played.

"I'm a defender, I will hold a shirt sometimes, everybody does it. Then it is down to the referee to decide."

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Fulham manager Roy Hodgson does not believe Henry is a cheat but claims he was in a no-win situation after the incident.

"I would defend Thierry Henry from the allegation of cheating," he said.

"What he did was a natural reaction and was a clear foul and infringement of the laws and I think if he had stood up and admitted and awarded a free-kick to the Irish, my heart would have gone out to him."

He continued: "I've heard it said several times maybe if the referee had gone to Thierry Henry, maybe Thierry Henry himself would have admitted the ball hit his hand.

"I don't think he would have admitted he helped bring the ball around to help him score a goal, but he might have said it hit his hand.

"But we haven't gone down that route either. Referees are very reluctant to talk to players and to ask players.

"I remember very well my friend Steve Kember having a goal awarded for Crystal Palace when the ball went through the side-netting. The opposing team of course protested but the referee signalled a goal. Steve himself told the referee it wasn't a goal.

"I'd be quite proud of one of my players if they did that. I don't think any one of us at the top level get any satisfaction from winning a game when one of the players has done something he shouldn't have done."

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Bolton manager Gary Megson wants to see cameras introduced at major games.

He said: "People are blaming Thierry Henry but everyone has done it, I've done it and if you can getaway with it, you will.

"You look to the officials to catch it. They have not done so in this case.

"I thought the referee was fantastic, especially for Ireland in such an atmosphere in Paris.

"To referee it in the way he did was top drawer. He has just missed that one. But until you put a camera there, until everyone can see it, you just have to accept it."

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Gianfranco Zola felt sympathy for Ireland coach Giovanni Trapattoni and was pleased Henry had owned up.

The West Ham boss said: "I try to put myself in the position of Trapattoni and I can imagine it.

"I think Thierry Henry should have said something but it's a matter of moments. There was a lot at stake in that game and it's not easy but probably he should have said something.

"It has happened to me and sometimes I didn't say anything and other times I did. It depends.

"I think it's fair that Thierry now says the game should be replayed and has admitted it is a mistake. I would probably have done that, but you have to put yourself in the situation.

"You are playing for the World Cup and it isn't easy."

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Everton manager David Moyes is a supporter of video technology - mainly to root out players who dive - but believes the current experiment with extra officials at the side of each goal should be utilised more.

The Scot was initially one of the critics of the trial - used in Europa League matches this season - but has been won over after seeing the system at work during the Toffees' European matches.

"Referees do need some help. I think the assistant referees behind the goal are helping a little bit in games," he said.

"If it can be developed I think incidents like we are talking about would have been seen.

"It is a deterrent to players in the box in terms of pulling and blocking and they should be given more licence to come on to the field.

"Video evidence, if it comes in, has to be for diving."

Moyes was dismissive of suggestions the Republic's match against France should be replayed.

"I've never really heard of it [happening before] and I think it would open up a situation which would make it very difficult," he added.

"Who knows, it might well happen. There's been an upcry but maybe it is just in this country - maybe other countries aren't even thinking about it."

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