David Beckham has defended Thierry Henry following his controversial handball in the World Cup play-off against the Republic of Ireland.

Henry has been condemned as a cheat following his part in the decisive goal in Wednesday night's game in Paris.

But Beckham said: "I honestly didn't think Thierry meant it.

"I know him as a player and a person. He's a good person and a great player. It's a shame to see Ireland go out because they have such great fans but these things happen in football.

"I really don't think he meant it.

"I've had a few headlines in the past which have not been nice but I don't think he is a cheat."

Asked whether he would have done the same thing in a similar situation, Beckham told Sky Sports News: "Who knows in that situation?

"You're playing in a qualifier to go through to the World Cup, you don't know what you're doing.

"I've been involved in big games and reacted to certain things and looked back and thought I was wrong to do that."

Sunderland chairman and former Republic of Ireland striker Niall Quinn described the goal as "the biggest injustice I have ever seen in sport".

He told the club's website: "I was at the first leg and it was disappointing because France were lucky on the night. We hoped it would be us who got the breaks in France but it wasn't to be.

"People talk about Maradona's Hand of God goal but I'd say that [Henry's goal] was the biggest injustice I've ever seen in sport. Maybe I feel it more because I'm Irish.

"All that I believe in and all that I love about sport was shattered when I saw something like that. It's possibly the lowest I've felt at any sporting moment in my life."

Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce believes the introduction of technology is now a necessity.

"There can only be one thing done for me and that is call for technology," Allardyce said.

"I am not sure Sepp Blatter can hide behind anything any more. You can't put this game right now. Ireland have lost the opportunity to play in the World Cup.

"Of course, they still might have lost on penalties or France might have scored another goal, but to go out those ways would have been more acceptable.

"The amount of money the Irish FA have lost has not been calculated but that would be quite a few million, I think.

"As for solutions, I don't think there is one for that game but surely there is a solution to making sure it doesn't happen again. The solution is to bring technology in."

Allardyce can understand why the Republic have appealed for a rematch.

"You would try anything you could under the circumstances," he told Sky Sports News.

"If you feel hard done by you have to try to do something about it. I am not so sure they will get very far with it but it is a great shame because of the effort they put in."

Tony Pulis believes that Henry's handball will be "a stain on his character".

Pulis will have to repair the shattered confidence of two of his stars - Liam Lawrence and Glenn Whelan - ahead of Sunday's home game with Portsmouth.

Both of his midfielders played in Paris for the Irish, and Pulis said: "I have yet to really talk to them, but I know they will be very disappointed and I will do what I can to raise their spirits."

On the handball incident, Pulis said: "You are almost saying that cheats have prospered. That can't be right in sport especially with the money that is involved in professional football at the moment.

"There is enough money around to sort it out and get it done and everybody wants what is right.

"Unfortunately on the day, Ireland have been punished by someone who has done something wrong.

"Henry is a great player, one of the best I have ever seen in English football, and this will be a stain on his character without a question of a doubt, but I feel it was more instinctive than anything else."

Lawrence and Whelan's colleague, German defender Robert Huth, also had sympathy for his team-mates, but said: "Obviously I am very disappointed for the Irish boys, it was a really bad way to go out of the tournament.

"But I do not believe games should be replayed, if you start doing that it will be chaos.

"Let's face it we (Germany) lost a World Cup final to England when the ball didn't cross the line. Can we replay that now?"

Wigan manager Roberto Martinez sided Henry.

"You need to look at what he has done as a player and the way he is as a human being and I think everyone would agree he is not a cheat," said Martinez.

"In that situation, you're in extra-time and trying to win, it is instinct.

"I don't think it was something premeditated. Even he expected the referee to blow the whistle.

"How many times have you seen defenders in the area pulling people's shirts and we don't consider that cheating?"