Under-fire France coach Raymond Domenech has condemned the stinging criticisms of captain Thierry Henry in the wake of his handball shame against the Republic of Ireland in the World Cup play-off.

With his side trailing 1-0 in extra time courtesy of Robbie Keane’s first-half strike, the France striker seized on Florent Malouda’'s free-kick and handled the ball twice, before squaring for defender William Gallas to nod home the equaliser.

The goal meant that Les Bleus sealed a 2-1 aggregate win, concomitantly booking their place in next summer's finals in South Africa at the expense of Giovanni Trapattoni's men.

'Titi's' actions have since garnered universal condemnation with compatriot and former Arsenal team-mate Robert Pires admitting that he "could not bring himself to celebrate the fact that France are in the World Cup because of how they got there."

However, Domenech has condemned the backlash against the Barcelona hitman: "It made me furious that Thierry can be treated this way," he told www.lexpress.fr.

"I have not slept for two days and I am just starting to get over it.

"When France were given an unjustified red card against the Serbs, Serbia did not launch a campaign to denigrate our team," he added.

Henry has revealed that he considered calling time on his international career on the back of the excoriating criticism, but when asked, Domenech assured that the 32-year-old would not walk away from his country.

"No, I do not think so," he said. "But when I called, he was like all of us - surprised, stunned. I have tremendous respect for him as a man and a footballer.

"Titi (Henry) is one of the most talented players in the history of French football. We qualified for the World Cup.

"For months now, despite his injury, he participated in all our matches at the risk of being yelled at by his club, Barcelona. ‘Les Bleus' is his reason for living as a footballer."

The famously superstitious, star-sign gazing, 57-year-old coach agreed that to replay the match would be 'impossible' before aiming his verbal guns firmly at two of his most open critics, ex-Manchester United talisman Eric Cantona, who claimed that he was the 'worst coach since Louis XVI', and legendary full-back Bixente Lizarazu.

"I did not know that Louis XVI had been a coach," Domenech snipped.

"I put Cantona in the same batch as the others. He is coach of a beach soccer team and failed to qualify his team for the World Cup. He should show decency!"

"Lizarazu also claims that I refuse to talk football, tactically and technically. He is wrong. I speak, but with my players, not with him," he went on to say.

"Anyway, he does not ask questions, he merely gives advice.

"Former players who act as coaches and have never coached a team leave me indifferent."

The draw for next summer’s footballing extravaganza takes place on December 4th so ne sure to log on to ExtraFootie as we will bring you all the news as it breaks.