Irish give up on hopes for replay

DUBLIN --- Ireland has given up hope of a World Cup playoff replay against France because of Thierry Henry's hand ball.

Henry's deliberate handling set up a goal for William Gallas in Wednesday's 1-1 draw that advanced France and eliminated Ireland. The Irish appealed to the French federation to agree to a replay but were turned down.

"We regret that despite our best efforts for a replay, which would have restored the integrity of the game in front of a worldwide audience, our calls appear to have fallen on deaf ears at the French Football Federation," Football Association of Ireland chief executive John Delaney said Saturday.

"Without doubt, the credibility of fair play has been damaged by this incident in front of a worldwide audience."

Although FIFA ruled on Friday there would be no replay, the Irish still made an official request to the French to back their case.

The French responded by saying it understood the disappointment and bitterness, but the result could not be changed.