Football NewsBBC SportUnverified source· 25 Sept 2026
O'Neill 'Baffled' by Refereeing in Northern Ireland's Late Win
Michael O'Neill was left fuming over several controversial decisions during Northern Ireland's dramatic 1-0 victory in Georgia.


M. O'Neill
coach
Competition
Nations League
Score
Georgia 0-1 Northern Ireland
Scorer
Shea Charles (99')
Venue
Tbilisi
What happened. Northern Ireland secured a 1-0 win in Georgia with a 99th-minute goal from Shea Charles, but manager Michael O'Neill was left frustrated by the refereeing. He was particularly unhappy with a controversial penalty awarded to Georgia and a denied free-kick for his side.
- Pierce Charles saved a penalty from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
- O'Neill was 'baffled' by several decisions, including a waved-away appeal for Shea Charles.
- Defender Daniel Ballard was injured after a challenge that O'Neill felt should have been a free-kick.
“I was really disappointed in that side of things with how the game was refereed.”
— Michael O'Neill
The win gives Northern Ireland their first-ever away victory in the Nations League, but O'Neill's comments may lead to further discussion about officiating.
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