11 November,2017 10:16 AM IST | Paris | PA Sport
Defender Jonny Evans believes penalty decision against N Ireland in their 0-1 loss to Switzerland is worse than Henry’s infamous handball in 2010
Jonny Evans insists Northern Ireland can feel more aggrieved about Switzerland's controversial penalty than the Republic did after Thierry Henry's handball in 2010.
The Northern Irish were left seething with a sense of injustice after Ricardo Rodriguez's 58th-minute penalty left them with a mountain to climb if they are to reach their first World Cup in 32 years.
N Ireland's Corry Evans (centre) is dejected after conceding a penalty for handball against Switzerland during the World Cup play-off first-leg match in Belfast Northern Ireland on Thursday. Pic/Getty Images
Referee Ovidiu Hategan gave the spot-kick having determined Corry Evans handled Xherdan Shaqiri's shot, though replays were inconclusive over whether it even struck the Blackburn midfielder's arm, which was tucked in by his side as he turned.
It evoked memories of the William Gallas goal that sent France to the 2010 World Cup at the expense of the Republic of Ireland, when Henry's clear handball in the build-up was not spotted.
Jonny Evans, Corry's older brother, believes Northern Ireland have extra cause for hurt after their 1-0 loss. "It was actually a worse decision because the ref has made a call that was not there," he said.
Northern Ireland's Jonny Evans
"It's different if he didn't see it. He's claimed he saw something that didn't happen which is the hardest part to take about it."
Corry Evans was equally furious and his misery was compounded by receiving a yellow card that rules him out of the return leg. "It was disgraceful," he said. "I clearly didn't put my hand up. I know it hit me on the back of the shoulder and I'm just absolutely gutted."
