Past refereeing controversies no longer matter, says McNair

Paddy McNair, a player for Northern Ireland, has stated that past controversies with Switzerland are behind them. The two teams will meet for a friendly match in Belfast on Friday. McNair recalled key moments from previous matches. In a 2018 World Cup playoff, Corry Evans faced a controversial penalty for a handball that many believed hit his shoulder instead. This decision helped Switzerland advance to the World Cup. Another incident occurred during the 2022 World Cup qualifiers, where Jamal Lewis received a second yellow card. This card was issued because he took too long for a throw-in, and Northern Ireland lost that match 2-0 in Geneva. McNair, who will captain the team, emphasized the desire to win this upcoming game. He acknowledged that both teams have changed since their last meetings. "I think that’s in the past… we want to win," he said.