Ireland fans demand investigation after crashing out of World Cup to Czech Republic
Ireland fans have demanded an investigation is launched following Czech Republic fans' actions during their World Cup playoff shootout.
It was World Cup heartbreak once again for Ireland as they crashed out of the playoffs in Prague on Thursday evening.
Heimir Hallgrimsson‘s side started the match in the perfect fashion, with a penalty from Troy Parrot and Matej Kovar putting the visitors 2-0 up inside 23 minutes.
However, a penalty from Patrik Schick and last gasp equaliser from captain Ladislav Krejc sent the tie to extra time, where nobody could find a winner.
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During the shootout, the Czech's made full use of home advantage with a 4-3 win after Ireland duo Alan Browne and Finn Azaz couldn't find the net.
However, the home side have a lot to thank their fans in the stands for, with a loud siren being played whenever an Irish player went to strike their penalty.
Fans demand action after penalty siren
Following the game, many Irish fans have been left furious over the antics of the Czechs, and demanded a full investigation into the incident that cost them a place in the US this summer.
One fan wrote: “Uefa should also look into who was playing the siren when Ireland were taking penalties, that was a disgrace.”
“The Czechs cheated, pausing before the pens were kicked to see where the goalie was going and then blaring a siren when Ireland were taking their pens to distract them," another added.
A third fan commented: “There has to be an investigation into that penalty shootout, the Czechs playing a loud siren every time the Irish took their pen is disgraceful.”
Another wrote: “How was there a siren going off in the stadium as Ireland took their penos. Switched off when the Czechs did.”
“Whoever is playing that siren whenever Ireland gets a penalty…I wanna talk," one fan fumed.
Speaking after the match, Ireland captain Nathan Collins insisted that fingers shouldn't be pointed at Browne or Azaz following their costly misses.
"There's not a lot you can say to a person when they're in that position," Collins told BBC NI
"But there are not a lot of people that would stand up and take a penalty.
"It took a lot of bravery for them to do that so there's no fingers being pointed at them at all."
Topics: Ireland, Czech Republic, Football, Fan Reactions, FIFA World Cup
Tom Jenkins