Sponsors are standing by Thierry Henry after the Barcelona striker's blatant handball gave France a place at next year's World Cup finals at the expense of Ireland, reports The Times. Sports fans the world over turned on the former Arsenal star, who enjoys a global profile partly thanks to an advertising campaign by Gillette, the shaving brand.

When Gillette launched its champions campaign in 2007, the US company said it had picked Henry because he embodied "true sporting values".

Those values have been called into question after last night's events, with internet user groups called for a boycott of Gillette products while the Frenchman continues to endorse them.

James Nunn, a spokesman for Gillette, said: "It's not our place to comment on refereeing in a match but this is not going to affect our relationship with him."