The Justice Minister demanded a rematch today after a blatant handball put France into the football World Cup finals.

Dermot Ahern lashed out at governing body FIFA after the Republic of Ireland were cruelly beaten by a controversial extra-time goal illegally set up by French captain Thierry Henry.

Dubbed “Le Hand”, the Barcelona star confessed to using his arm to control the ball before squaring for teammate William Gallas to finish.

Mr Ahern, a passionate soccer fan, called for FIFA to be called to account in the interests of fair play.

“They probably won’t grant it as we are minnows in world football but let’s put them on the spot,” the minister said.

“It’s the least we owe the thousands of devastated young fans around the country. Otherwise, if that result remains, it reinforces the view that if you cheat, you will win.” he added.

Fans were already up in arms after FIFA changed world seedings in the run-up to the play-off draw, effectively lining Ireland up for a difficult tie with one of Europe’s bigger footballing nations.

Pundits also said officials missed an offside in the run-up to the winning goal.

“Thierry Henry has admitted handling the ball, claims he told the ref he handled it,” the minister said.

“Millions of people worldwide saw it was a blatant double handball – not to mention a double offside – and we should put the powers that be in the cosy world of FIFA on the spot and demand a replay”.

The Republic’s assistant manager Liam Brady also backed calls for a replay.

“For the dignity and integrity of football, we will go to France and play again,” the coach said.

Meanwhile, Players’ chief Gordon Taylor today called for the introduction of video replays after the incident in Paris.

Taylor, chief executive of the Professional Footballers’ Association, said the stakes are now too high to allow such expensive errors.

“The time has now come to start using video technology to make sure we get the right decision. For a sport that is so high profile, with so much money and so much prestige at stake, it has to be used” he said.

“You can bring in as many assistant referees behind the goals as you like but, until there is technology, there will continue to be debatable decisions” he added.