BLUNDER REF ADMITS ERROR

THE referee whose wrong penalty call cost Northern Ireland a World Cup place has admitted his sorrow over the incident.

Ovidiu Hategan (above), the top official in Romania, was axed from the Russian finals panel because of the hand ball spot kick awarded to Switzerland at Windsor Park in November. Northern Ireland lost that play-off first leg 1-0 and drew 0-0 in Basel three days later.

Hategan said: “Unfortunately I’m not