Zidane backs Henry on handball

FORMER France midfielder Zinedine Zidane has re-ignited the row over Thierry Henry’s controversial handball in the World Cup play-off against Ireland by claiming that FIFA was right not to arrange a replay of the game.

Zidane also claimed that Henry was justified in his decision not to admit his handball to referee Martin Hansson, although he conceded that he is ‘sure that Henry regrets the incident now’.

Zidane, who was sent off in the 2006 World Cup final only after the fourth official consulted a video replay of his head-butt on Marco Materazzi, believes that the row will eventually expedite the arrival of video technology.