Henry almost quit France due to handball

France captain Thierry Henry admits he considered quitting international football following the uproar caused by his part in the goal which sent Les Bleus to the World Cup finals at the Republic of Ireland’s expense.

The Barcelona striker’s blatant handball in the build-up to William Gallas’ extra-time equaliser last Wednesday night went unpunished and sent the French through 2-1 on aggregate.

The 32-year-old told L’Equipe: ‘Yes, I asked myself the question. Without the support of my family, I perhaps would not have made the same decision. But I will always fight to the end – even if what just happened will be

engraved. You can always forgive but you cannot always forget.’

He added: “Despite everything that has happened, the fact of feeling abandoned, I do not let go of (playing for) my country. After the game, and even for the next two days, I felt alone, truly alone. It was only after I sent my statement that people from the French federation appeared.’

The former Arsenal striker released a statement on Friday claiming a replay of the World Cup qualification play-off would be ‘the fairest solution’ – hours after FIFA had ruled that the result could not be changed and the match could not be replayed.