Republic of Ireland fans have called for a Fifa investigation after a loud siren noise was heard during their penalty shootout defeat against Czechia in Prague. The Boys in Green lost 4-2 on penalties following a 2-2 draw, dashing their hopes of qualifying for this summer's World Cup.
Ireland had taken an early 2-0 lead through Troy Parrott and an own goal from Czech goalkeeper Matej Kovar, but Patrik Schick and Ladislav Krejci levelled for the hosts. After extra time failed to separate the sides, the match went to a shootout, where Parrott, Adam Idah and Robbie Brady scored, but Kovar saved spot kicks from Finn Azaz and Alan Browne.
Supporters took to social media to complain about a siren that sounded during Ireland's penalties, with some suggesting it was a deliberate tactic. One fan wrote: "So the ambulance siren only happens when we're taking our penalties?!?!!!!" Another posted: "FIFA need to investigate the Czech v Republic game. Every time an Ireland player stepped forward for a pen a siren of some kind went off. Absolute farce."
A third fan added: "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 accused the Czechs of cheating, claiming they paused before kicks to see where the goalkeeper was going and then blared a siren to distract Ireland's takers.
Czechia will now face Denmark in the play-off final on Tuesday, with the winner securing a place at the World Cup in North America. Ireland, meanwhile, are left to rue what might have been.
