FIFA president Sepp Blatter has revealed Thierry Henry will face a disciplinary investigation and apologised to the Republic of Ireland for making public details of their request for a ’33rd’ place at the World Cup.

FIFA have also ruled out the introduction of goal-line assistant referees at next year’s showpiece in South Africa.

Blatter said that the question of adding two officials to keep an eye on action in and around the critical penalty box area had been discussed at an extraordinary meeting of the FIFA executive committee, but it had been decided to stick with the existing system.

“We have decided that for World Cup 2010, there will be no change in refereeing. We will still have one referee and two assistants,” Blatter said.

The meeting also ruled out the introduction of video technology to assist referees similar to the system used in such as rugby, cricket and tennis.

Blatter has been slammed for dithering and empathising with Henry whose blatant handball allowed France to qualify for next year’s tournament at the expense of the Irish.

“The FIFA disciplinary committee will open an investigation … concerning the behaviour of the player Thierry Henry,” he said after an extraordinary meeting of the FIFA executive committee here.

“It was blatant unfair play and was seen all around the world. I don’t know the outcome of the disciplinary committee, let them make the decision.

“Fair play must be maintained in our game.”

Ireland were denied a place in the finals by a goal that should have been disallowed because Henry used his hand to control the ball before setting up William Gallas to score.

The goal sent France to South Africa with a 2-1 aggregate win, with Ireland, trying but failing to have the match replayed.

In a last ditch bid to make the final draw on Friday, the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) privately asked Blatter if they could be included as a 33rd team.

But Blatter made the request public in light-hearted comments in Johannesburg earlier this week which left Irish football officials infuriated and insulted.

Blatter said he was sorry.

“I would like to express my regrets for the wrong interpretation of what I said. I regret what I have created and I’m sorry to the Ireland football confederation for these headlines going around the world,” he said.

“It’s a pity I communicated in this way. Sorry again.”

On Tuesday, Ireland’s assistant manager, Liam Brady, branded the FIFA supremo’s handling of the fallout from the Henry affair “an embarrassment.”

© AFP 2012

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