THIERRY HENRY has escaped punishment for his handball.

THIERRY HENRY has escaped punishment for his handball shame.

The Barcelona striker's blatant cheating set up France's winner against the Republic of Ireland in a World Cup finals play-off.

But FIFA insist there is no 'legal foundation' to ban Henry as handball is not a 'serious' infringement.

Current rules state only the illegal use of a hand to PREVENT a goal is covered in relation to possible sanctions.

Irish FA chiefs demanded a replay or that they were allowed to go to South Africa as the 33rd team.

But FIFA said the result must stand because decisions made on the pitch could not be reviewed.

Henry, 32, claimed he even considered quitting the game because of the resulting row.

FRANCE star Thierry Henry will not be punished for his handball

FIFA's disciplinary committee concluded there was "no legal foundation" for them to deal with the case.

The decision means Henry will not face a ban for any matches of this summer's World Cup finals.

FIFA said in a statement: "The disciplinary committee reached the conclusion that there was no legal foundation for the committee to consider the case because handling the ball cannot be regarded as a serious infringement as stipulated in article 77a) of the FIFA disciplinary code.

"There is no other legal text that would allow the committee to impose sanctions for any incidents missed by match officials."

Henry's handball in the run-up to William Gallas' decisive goal in the World Cup play-off qualifier ended the Republic's dreams of qualifying for the finals in South Africa.

The Football Association of Ireland were infuriated by the goal and demanded a replay, then even suggested they should be allowed to go to the World Cup as a 33rd team.

FIFA dismissed their demands but did agree to have another look at the possibility of using video evidence in the future, and instructed the disciplinary committee to investigate possible action against the 32-year-old former Arsenal hero.

Henry's defence today argued successfully that FIFA's disciplinary code does not give the committee the ability to punish such incidents.

Under current rules, only the illegal use of a hand to prevent a goal being scored is covered in relation to possible sanctions.