Martin Hansson, the referee at the centre of the furore surrounding Thierry Henry's handball incident during Republic of Ireland's controversial World Cup play-off, has declared that 'life must go on'.

The Swedish official and his linesman both failed to spot Henry's blatant handball in the area before he crossed for William Gallas to bundle home and break Irish hearts at the Stade de France on Wednesday night.

Hansson, who in truth was having a magnificent game up until that point, believes that fans should now get over the incident with FIFA dimissing the request for a replay from the FAI and stating the referee's ruling final.

"I cannot comment on the game itself but life must go on and I hope I will survive this too," he told Swedish radio station Blekinge.

Responding to reports that he is still in line to be named among FIFA's list of referees for the World Cup in South Africa, Hansson said, with a hint of sarcasm: "Really? Has it been in the evening papers? Well, then it has to be true, hasn't it?"