Henry backed by Zidane, but may not be saved

SPEAKING UP: Former French national team soccer player Zinedine Zidane attends a news conference.

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Paris: Thierry Henry is not a cheat and will get over his handball in France's controversial World Cup playoff against Ireland, Zinedine Zidane was quoted as saying on Saturday.

"He (Henry) is not a cheat, I know him well," the former France playmaker, who was sent off for headbutting Italy defender Marco Materazzi in the 2006 World Cup final, told French television channel Canal Plus.

"He will get over this," Zidane added. "He made a mistake, like I made a mistake, even if I'm not making any comparisons. We all make mistakes."

Henry, Zidane said, had apoligised by admitting he had handled the ball.

"The fact he said there was a handball means he has apologised," Zidane said. "I'm not saying it was nothing but it was handball, that's it."

France captain Henry handled the ball setting up William Gallas's extra-time equaliser in Wednesday's 1-1 draw in Paris that sent France to the World Cup with a 2-1 aggregate win.

The French Football Federation (FFF) has ruled out a replay, saying world governing body FIFA's decision that the result should stand was final.