Referee who cost Northern Ireland in qualifying axed by Fifa for World Cup
OVIDIU HATEGAN the referee who awarded the penalty that destroyed Northern Ireland World Cup dreams has been axed from Fifa’s match officials list for Russia 2018.
The Romanian’s controversial decision to gift Switzerland the spot kick for a hotly-disputed handball in Belfast was the only goal in the two-legged playoff.
Ovidiu Hategan has been axed from Fifa list of refs for Russia World CupGetty Images - Getty
Michael O’Neill’s side were denied qualifying for the World Cup finals for the first time since 1986.
Football’s world governing body published a list of 36 referees on Saturday to attend a World Cup seminar this month in Abu Dhabi that does not include Hategan.
Fifa will make the final decision on who will officiate games in Russia next January.
Hategan was at a 61-man World Cup session in April, and is the only one of eight referees who handled European play-off games this month to be dumped from the list.
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Northern Ireland players stunned as Ovidiu Hategan awards penaltyPacemaker Press
PA:Press Association Ricardo Rodriguez converts penalty for Switzerland[/caption]
No British referees going to Russia including Premier League’s Michael OliverAFP or licensorsHoward Webb took charge of World Cup matches in Brazil 2014Getty Images - Getty
Fifa have opted not to select any British referees among the 36 picked.
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