LONDON, Nov 21 (AFP): A replay of the controversial World Cup play-off between France and the Republic of Ireland is out of the question, the French Football Federation (FFF) said Friday, even as skipper Thierry Henry said he would back the idea following his handball gaffe.

"The FFF understands the disappointment and bitterness of the Irish players, management and supporters. The federation never sought to deny the refereeing error which saw the equalising French goal allowed," it said in a statement.

But the FFF added: "During matches, decisions are taken by the referee and these decisions are final. As a result, the result of the match cannot be changed and the match cannot be replayed.

The Football Association of Ireland (FAI), however, called on the FFF to join with it in requesting a replay from FIFA as only that "would protect the integrity of the game worldwide and the pride of the French national team".

Henry said "the fairest solution" to the row over his handball which allowed William Gallas to score the goal that sent the French through would be a replay, but FIFA ruled that "the result of the match cannot be changed and the match cannot be replayed".

Video replays showed Henry raised his hand to stop the ball going out of play in extra-time of the match, before passing to Gallas to head the goal which gave France a 2-1 win in the two-leg playoff.

Henry said the incident happened in the heat of the action. "I have said at the time and I will say again that yes I handled the ball. "I am not a cheat and never have been. It was an instinctive reaction to a ball that was coming extremely fast in a crowded penalty area."