Arsenal and France defender William Gallas was seen signing autographs for Irish fans last week.

The Mail on Sunday says Gallas has never shrunk from a confrontation but it must have been a surprise for the grieving Irish fans to see the man who scored France's equaliser boarding the 17.13 Eurostar from Paris Gare du Nord to St Pancras on Thursday.

Any fears security staff may have had for Gallas's safety in the company of Irish fans after Thierry Henry's hand-ball cheated them out of a trip to South Africa soon passed.

Ireland fans who had spotted the Arsenal defender at the departure terminal chanted 'cheat' - he will have had to lip-read because he was wearing headphones - but once on board those who approached him wanted photographs with the man who wrecked their dreams.