Manchester United captain Gary Neville says it's wrong for people to brand Thierry Henry a cheat over his hand-ball controversy for France.

Neville, in his regular column in The Sunday Times of Malta, believes the incident proves the need to introduce video technology.

He said: "Another huge game, another wrong decision. But to label Henry a 'cheat' is wrong. Everyone who has played football will know that when the ball comes up at your side, your arm can come out instinctively.

"We have all done things in football matches in the heat of the moment that we have regretted later.

"The referee has to spot these things - it goes back to what I mentioned last week about the need to get the big decisions right. The World Cup play-offs are so important - that decision could have cost the Irish economy millions of euros, as well as costing the Irish people the chance to support their team in a World Cup.

"When so much depends on one game, we need to give serious consideration to using video technology. I said a few weeks ago that video technology has helped rugby and cricket - it is inevitable it will be introduced in football one day.

"The big problem is whether it could be used in all divisions or just in the top leagues and internationals.

"There is camera exposure at all the big grounds but not in the lower leagues, and supporters of lower league teams will say that their games are equally important."