Stockholm - Swedish referee Martin Hansson considered quitting over the row generated by failing to spot French captain Thierry Henry's handball in last week's controversial World Cup play-off between France and Ireland, a newspaper reported Tuesday. "I thought, is the job worth all the degradation," Hansson was quoted as telling regional Swedish newspaper Sydostran. "Perhaps this is not my thing."
Hansson said he had also received sympathy and support from players and other referees and realized that "it wasn't my fault. It was an unfortunate incident that had major consequences for Ireland. But it was not the fault of the referee team."
So he said he has scrapped any plans of resuming his former job as a firefighter, and was preparing for a Champions League match in December.
Football's governing body FIFA has ordered the Swedish referee team not to comment the match pending an ongoing investigation. FIFA has also rejected Ireland's appeal for a re-match.
In addition to the angry reactions after the match, Hansson was upset that a foreign reporter had visited his parents, aged 73 and 75, and wanted to photograph their house.
"I don't see the point," he said, "They didn't referee any match."
Videos and graphics of the controversial situation suggest Hansson and his linesmen were obstructed and unable to see Henry handle the ball, but the trio have been lambasted also by Swedish sports commentators.
