'Really poor bad decision' slammed after Czechia v Ireland: 'That's such a big moment'

Shay Given and Didi Hamann were puzzled by the awarding of a free kick that led to Czechia's equaliser against Ireland.

The Boys in Green suffered heartbreak in Prague as their World Cup dreams ended in a nightmare in the Czech capital.

A Troy Parrott penalty and an own goal had Heimir Hallgrímsson's 2-0 up after 23 minutes before the hosts netted from a penalty of their own four minutes after Ireland's second goal.

And a strike from Ladislav Krejčí four minutes from full-time brought the game to extra-time and then penalties. However, both Given and Hamann felt a free in the build-up to the goal should not have been given.

Alan Browne was adjudged to have fouled Adam Karabec by a linesman, but the two former players thought the decision was incredibly soft.

Hamann began on RTE: "It's a bad decision. Robbie Brady is there and Alan Browne, Browne just tries to shield it from Karabec, who came on and did well for the Czechs."

Given says "that's not a foul, give me a break man" before Hamann adds: "Obviously the referee, who has been excellent tonight, his hands were tied and he had to give it.

"It's a very good delivery. We have a few men at the near post but they get in each other's way. Krejci takes advantage of it unfortunately."

Given responds by saying: "That's such a big moment in the whole scheme of World Cup qualification. That's the 86th minute. To give a foul that's soft, I think it's really poor."

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