IRELAND’S JAMES MCCLEAN has criticised the referee’s performance after his side earned a draw against Austria in their World Cup qualifier this evening.
Ireland rallied from 1-0 down to score an equaliser through Jonathan Walters in the second half at the Aviva Stadium.
Martin O’Neill’s side could have stolen a victory after Shane Duffy headed the ball into the roof of the net near the end, only to have his effort ruled out by the referee for an apparent foul in the Austrian goalmouth.
There was also an appeal for a late Irish penalty, which was denied.
Speaking to RTÉ Sport after the final whistle, James McClean gave a damning assessment of referee David Fernández’s performance.
James McClean on the performance of the referee: "You tell me. They had a 12th man today." pic.twitter.com/f0rpxyqkja
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) June 11, 2017
“Look, I know in this day and age, the slightest wee thing you say about a referee, you get fined and that,” said McClean. “But you watched the game, you tell me.
“They had a 12th man today. That’s all I’ll say on that. I’m really disappointed. We should have came away from that game with three points but we didn’t.”
Remarking on Ireland’s disappointing first half display, McClean added:
“No we weren’t [at it]. I can’t put my finger on it. It was disappointing to go in at half-time 1-0 but look, we rallied around. We had a go in the second half. That shows the character we’ve got here.
We don’t let in for no one. I’m really disappointed we didn’t get three points because I think we deserved it in the end.
“On another day we’d take them chances. We’re not cursing the referee’s decision. It is what it is. Jonny rescued us, great finish. I thought he was amazing today. Look, we’ll keep going.”
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The damage that the Bitter Little Man Jones did to Australian rugby is phenomenal and won’t be easy to put right. Even Joe is finding it tough.
@Ollie Fitzpatrick: There were infrastructural problems for some years with AR before Jones arrival. Dave Rennie appeared to be getting things under control before Jones was forced upon him and that ended in a mess. Most of the issues must fall to the management of AR and the decisions, or lack of, they made in the last decade. Any coach will struggle with coaching when the basics are not in place. Australia and Welsh rugby look to have similar problems at the moment. However, the Welsh are in a better position as rugby has a good support.
@Con Cussed: Agree 200% Con?
100% for each! AR were more interested in their status and name than the actual team. Jones was not the right person for the job. Even the dogs on the street knew that!
WR problems stem mainly from financial issues exacerbated by Brexit. Regional teams are not getting the funds of old, hence the decline. This is not insurmountable and in fact can be rectified over a few years if logic prevails with WR.