Referee Ovidiu Hategan may have killed Northern Ireland's hopes of making it to the 2018 World Cup, as the Romanian ref awarded Switzerland a penalty kick due to a supposed handball by Corry Evans.
Replays showed that the ball hit Evans' back, but the ref saw something out of line and granted the Swiss the controversial call.
The Northern Ireland, Corry Evans 'handball' pic.twitter.com/1WO10Rt4wv
— Kevin Byrne (@KevByrneBox) November 9, 2017
Of course, fans couldn not wait to claim justice for the defender, even though the Green and White Army will have to score at least two goals if they want to make the trip to Russia next year.
Although Switzerland have been the better team, it's annoying they're only ahead through a huge refereeing error. That's one of the worst penalty decisions I've ever seen #NIRSWI
— Hayley Garrod (@GRODSTER) November 9, 2017
How on earth can that be a pen? Shocking decision #NIRSWI
— James Parker (@jimbop7) November 9, 2017
On what planet is that a pen? #NIRSWI pic.twitter.com/Jd9opwK1tD
— Luke (@LukeHuggan) November 9, 2017
How the red has given that as a penalty I’ll never know!! Absolutely appalling decision!! #NIRSWI
— Tommy (@tommy12leggett) November 9, 2017
Hmmmmm haven’t seen that bad a handball call since.....#NIRSWI pic.twitter.com/Rhp2heM80l
— Andy Balbirnie (@balbo90) November 9, 2017
That's actually the worst penalty decision I've ever seen. #NIRSWI
— Josh Spruyt (@JoshSpruyt) November 9, 2017
The second leg of this tie will take place on Sunday. Will the Northern Irish side fight back?
Match details, result and original broadcast info
This match has ended. Below are the original Live broadcast details for this match.
Live TV coverage and streaming in United States
Live TV coverage and streaming in United States
Follow the game on-the-go
Download our iOS and Android apps to follow soccer on-the-go. It comes packed with features - live scores, fixtures, results, tables, line-ups, stats, TV schedule and much more! Sorry, no live streaming within the app.
