Ireland fans have fond recent memories of referee Glenn Nyberg, who could play a major role in deciding the outcome of the Republic of Ireland’s World Cup play-off against Czechia on Thursday night.
Nyberg took charge of the must-win World Cup qualifier against Portugal in Dublin last November as Heimir Hallgrimsson’s charges recorded a 2-0 victory only the most optimistic of home fans could have predicted.
A former substitute teacher, the Swede is long-accustomed to disciplining petulant young men. But it was a middle-aged one who was sent to the naughty corner at the Aviva, with Cristiano Ronaldo dismissed for the 14th time in his illustrious career – and a first at senior international level –…