And now bookies Paddy Power have reacted by handing punters who backed the team to reach Russia 2018 their money back.

Romanian official Ovidiu Hategan ruled that Corry Evans blocked a shot with his arm during the first leg against Switzerland - despite replays showing the ball hit his shoulder.

Ricardo Rodriguez netted the penalty - the only goal of either leg -  which ended Northern Ireland's hopes of qualifying for Russia.

"It was a sad and unpleasant moment for me, sad because I made that mistake," Hategan said.

"Unfortunately I'm not among the 36, but I'll see if I'm going to be a video referee.

"Surely it has had a big influence and what happened in the play-off game. It's not a secret and I'm not hiding behind words.

"In our world, the referees are the same as the goalkeepers - everyone sees the mistake.

"I've got over that moment, I'm a strong man. My family were there for me."

Paddy Power are refunding all single bets on Michael O’Neill’s men qualifying for the World Cup, amounting to thousands of pounds in stakes.
 
Spokesman Paddy Power said: “The referee’s admission is refreshing but, ultimately, doesn’t make much difference to disappointed fans.
 
“We decided to give the punters some justice, too, by refunding those who backed Northern Ireland to qualify for Russia.”