Burnley goalkeeper Brian Jenson has waded into the escalating row over the controversial goal that denied Republic of Ireland a place in the World Cup finals by branding France striker Thierry Henry a 'cheat'.

Les Bleus only won their play-off against Giovanni Trapattoni's men in Paris on Wednesday night after Henry blatantly and deliberately handled the ball in the area before crossing for William Gallas to score the winner.

And the Dane has had his say on the controversial incident - already branded 'The hand of Henry', by admitting the Arsenal 'legend', who has long portaryed himself as 'Mr Nice Guy', has gone down in his estimations.

"Henry is saying he is an honest guy but to get away with murder like that you can't justify it," Jensen told Sky Sports News.

"I'm not even going to hold back. He didn't do it on purpose...blah blah blah - he put it down to his right foot.

"He didn't do it on purpose? My 'beep'. I won't say the word cheats - but I said it (on this occasion)."

Jensen also expressed his sorrow for the Irish players who were absolutely magnificent on the night, with Keith Andrews and Sean St Ledger in particular immense, and labelled the French side the worst he had seen in a while.

"I feel sad for the Irish because they deserved to go through," he added.

"That is the worst France team I have seen in a long time. Over the two legs Ireland were the best by a mile."