Needle was part of Swiss tactics

THE attitude of the Swiss in Wednesday’s eventful World Cup tie in Basel removed all doubt that Clinton Morrison was exaggerating when he criticised them before the Group 4 qualifier.

Morrison was the subject of much attention from the Swiss and their followers because his claim that he had been racially abused on Ireland's visit last year was widely reported in the Swiss press, radio and TV.

Racial references represent such a dangerous minefield in today's society that it was certain there were those who suspected he might have been overly sensitive.