French Football Federation president Jean-Pierre Escalettes has told the Republic of Ireland to move on from their World Cup heartache, and has called Les Bleus' qualification to the finals 'beautiful'.

Ireland were magnificent at the Stade de France on Wednesday night, but were eventually undone after a highly controversial goal in extra-time by William Gallas secured France a 2-1 aggregate win in their two-legged qualifier.

Robbie Keane had given Giovanni Trapattoni's men a deserved lead in the first half to cancel out Nicolas Anelka's goal from the first-leg, but then came the moment that will forever be known as 'The hand of Henry'.

The Barcelona hitman deliberately controlled a Florent Malouda free-kick with his hand as it was about to go out of play before squaring for Gallas to bundle home into an empty net.

The controversial goal sparked mass protests from the Irish players but referee Martin Hansson allowed the goal to stand, despite Henry admitting later that he handled the ball, although he insists it was accidental. Yeah right!

Escalettes praised the Irish team for taking the game right down to the wire and although he understands their frustration, he has urged them to move on from the incident.

He then had the audicity to claim that their unjust qualification in ExtraFootie's mind was 'beautiful'!

"We were stunned and were not able to develop our game - I understand that the Irish are frustrated," he told French newspaper L'Equipe.

"They must forget this evening and use it for the future.

"You have to take a philosophical approach to this match. Football is played on small details, however, qualification is still beautiful."