MADRID, Nov. 22 (Xinhua) -- England defender Gary Neville defended French striker Thierry Henry over his handball pass in his national team's controversial World Cup qualifying playoff tie with Ireland on Sunday.

    The Manchester United player wrote in his regular column in Malta's Sunday Times that it was wrong to call Henry a cheat.

    "To label Henry a cheat is wrong," 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," he added.

    Wednesday's 1-1 draw in Paris, which sent France to the World Cup finals with a 2-1 aggregate win, has been widely disputed as Henry's extra-time hand ball set up the equalizing goal.

    World soccer governing body FIFA, however, rejected Friday the Irish football association's appeal of rematching the controversial France vs Ireland playoff.