Stockholm - One of the Swedish referees who officiated at the controversial World Cup play-off between France and Ireland declined to comment the matter Thursday, citing football's controlling body FIFA. The Swedish nationals have been heavily criticized for failing to spot French captain Thierry Henry's handball.
Henry's controversial move set up William Gallas who scored in extra-time Wednesday, securing France a place in the 2010 World Cup finals.
"Bungle of a lifetime" blasted Stockholm tabloid Aftonbladet.
"FIFA has banned us from making public statements," Martin Ingvarsson, the so-called fourth official, said in a text message to the Swedish online site FotbollsExpressen.se.
"We are not allowed to make any statements in connection with FIFA matches," Invgarsson added.
The trio on the pitch - referee Martin Hansson, and assistant referees Stefan Wittberg and Fredrik Nilsson - have been lambasted.
"(Referee) Martin Hansson deprived Ireland of a World Cup spot through the worst mistake by a Swedish referee we have seen in almost 20 years," wrote Aftonbladet columnist Erik Niva.
"Even a person who doesn't care about football recognises the feeling of being cheated, deceived and botched.
"All over the world there are some 80 million Irishmen. I guarantee that they all feel pretty bad today. A group of brave football players likely feel the worst. But I really hope that there are three Swedes that feel even more worse.
"Their names are Martin Hansson, Stefan Wittberg and Fredrik Nilsson," Niva added.
Stockholm rival Expresssen's headline said "Hansson should avoid visiting Ireland again".
"It is not easy or appreciated to be a referee," Expresssen columnist Johan Orrenius said.
"Key decisions have to made instantly, there is no action replay footage and of course you realize that mistakes happen. But try to explain that to an Irish football fan today. You had better avoid trying to explain that Martin Hansson was a great referee for 102 minutes," he added.
