The Football Association of Ireland has distanced itself from a racist tweet directed at former France striker Thierry Henry which it claims had been doctored to appear as if it had emanated from the governing body’s Twitter account, confirming that account hadn’t been compromised, and referring to the incident as “really uncool”.

Henry, who revealed his retirement from playing earlier today, has been receiving glowing tributes on social media after a decorated career, but one Tweet aimed at the European Championship and World Cup winner read: “Happy retirement to @ThierryHenry. Good riddance to that useless, cheating ni****".

The FAI addressed the issue on its website in a statement which read: “It has come to our attention that images containing a racist message have been posted, purporting to have come from the @FAIreland twitter account.

“We can confirm that this has nothing to do with us and that our account has not been hacked. More importantly, racism has no place in society, no place in sport and no place in football. We say NO to racism.”

Henry, who enjoyed spells at Monaco, Juventus, Arsenal and Barcelona, left the New York Red Bulls at the start of the month after they were knocked out of the MLS play-offs

The 37-year-old is set to return to London to embark on a broadcasting career with Sky Sports.

Many Irish fans will remember Henry best for escaping sanction for his infamous hand ball in the lead-up to France’s goal in the second leg of a World Cup play-off against the Republic of Ireland in Paris in 2009, with his contribution ultimately dashing Giovanni Trapattoni’s side’s qualification hopes.