Valletta, Malta- Labelling French striker Thierry Henry a cheat for his controversial handball against Ireland last Wednesday is wrong, Manchester United captain Gary Neville has said. Writing in his weekly column for The Sunday Times of Malta, Neville said: "Everyone who has played football will know that when the ball comes up at your side, your arm can come out instinctively. We have all done things in football matches in the heat of the moment that we have regretted later. The referee has to spot these things."
FIFA rejected Ireland's request for a replay after Henry's handball helped France to a 2-1 aggregate win and reach the World Cup finals in South Africa next year.
Former England defender Neville, 34, said the introduction of video technology into football was just a matter of time.
"When there is a contentious goal, bad foul or penalty incident then the game is stopped for a period of time anyway, so a video replay could be looked at. It is inevitable that video technology will be introduced in football one day."
