"I would like to express my regrets to a wrong interpretation of what I said and to the FAI, I'm sorry about the headlines going around the world, " he said.

BBC: Fifa to investigate Thierry Henry handball

But Jihad Maqdisi, a Syrian foreign ministry spokesman, said that is a "wrong interpretation" of Syria's intentions, the state-run Syrian Arab News Agency reported.

CNN: Syria suggests it might not withdraw forces by deadline