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 – for a flailing arm directed at Dara O'Shea.
Nyberg initially flashed a yellow card, with VAR official Pol van Boekel advising the 37-year-old to review the incident on the pitchside monitor. At the time, Ireland already led the encounter through Troy Parrott's first-half brace, but the 59th-minute sending off allowed all of an Irish persuasion to breathe a little easier.
The official from Sater, who now lives in Borlange, has reffed in the Allsvenskan since 2013 and followed in his father's footsteps by joining the FIFA roster in 2016. His brother and two half-sisters have also officiated in the beautiful game.
Career highlights include participating at Euro 2024 and the Paris Olympics.
His boots may appear rather bulbous as superstition dictates that he tie his laces with THREE double knots and his favourite colour for a referee's jersey is macaron pink, apparently.
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