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THE FAI’s dream of securing a replay of Wednesday’s World Cup play-off at the Stade de France was shattered last night when their French counterparts, the French Football Federation (FFF), formally said that they had no intention of offering to restage the game as a result of Thierry Henry’s handball immediately before William Gallas’s decisive goal.

It acknowledged that Henry had admitted to the handball almost (though not quite) immediately and said that his honesty was a positive thing. “In view of the pressure he is being subjected to,” it said, “the FFF gives him their full support.”