Irish FA rue Sweden award

The Irish Football Association today expressed their disappointment at UEFA’s decision to hand Sweden a 3-0 victory over Denmark following last Saturday’s abandoned Euro 2008 qualifier.

German referee Herbert Fandel – who had been attacked by a fan at Copenhagen’s Parken Stadium – called off the game, in Northern Ireland’s Group F, with just a few minutes to go with the scores level at 3-3.

The incident occurred after the referee had awarded a penalty to Sweden and shown a red card to Denmark’s Christian Poulsen.

UEFA’s ruling takes Sweden into a three-point lead over Spain at the top of Group F. They have 18 points, Spain 15 and Northern Ireland have 13 – although Northern Ireland have a game in hand on the top two.

Jim Boyce, president of the Irish Football Association, would have preferred to see the match played out rather than hand the Swedes a walkover.

“It is very difficult because I was not at the ground, but the general consensus was that perhaps he should have taken them off the pitch for five minutes, made sure it was safe and secure and then allowed the penalty to be taken,” Boyce told Sky Sports News.

“I am disappointed they have awarded Sweden the game 3-0.

“I still think the penalty should have been taken because it has given Sweden a substantial goal difference.

“What it does mean now is that it looks now as it its down to Spain, Sweden and Northern Ireland for the two places.”

Northern Ireland’s next match, which will be the first in charge for new boss Nigel Worthington, is against Liechtenstein in Belfast on August 22.

Boyce added: “It is up to Northern Ireland now to put this behind us and, with Nigel Worthington now installed as manager, just get ahead and hopefully qualify.

“It is going to be very difficult.

“Spain and Sweden are exceptionally good sides. However, we have already beaten both of them, so who knows what is going to happen?”

At today’s hearing in Nyon, UEFA’s control and disciplinary body also fined the Danish Football Association (DBU) €60,000 and ordered Denmark to play their next four home qualifiers – against Liechtenstein, Spain, Latvia and Iceland between September and November – at least 250km from Copenhagen.

The Liechtenstein match will also have to be played behind closed doors, and Poulsen has also been banned for three competitive internationals.

The DBU have confirmed they will appeal against the punishment.

UEFA also confirmed they would investigate the events, having received the referee and delegates’ reports.