THE wife of Northern Ireland footballer Corry Evans has apologised for a racist tweet she posted following a controversial penalty decision awarded against her husband in his team's World Cup qualifier.
Lisa Evans said sorry for the "language contained in my tweet" which she posted hours after her husband's side lost to Switzerland at Windsor Park on Thursday.
The Swiss team won thanks to a penalty awarded after the referee deemed the Northern Ireland midfielder handled the ball.
It means Michael O'Neill's team go into the second leg tomorrow night in Basel with a one-goal deficit.
Evans was also booked, meaning he will miss the second-leg play-off.
The referee's decision sparked controversy among Northern Ireland fans who took to social media to vent their frustration at the "travesty".
In the hours that followed, Lisa Evans hit out the the referee in a tweet.
"Romanian gypsy c***!!! And to actually think Northern Ireland has probably homed one of his smelly relatives!! Ungrateful t***!! Anyway onwards and upwards #GAWA," she wrote.
The tweet was later removed but not before it had been viewed many times.
Her husband (27) was the first to apologise for his wife's tweet.
"On behalf of my wife, I would like to apologise unreservedly for the content and language contained in the tweet that she issued last night," he said in a statement.
"The comments were published in the heat of the moment and are not representative of her views."
Mrs Evans later apologised herself on Twitter.
"I would like to sincerely apologise to anyone I offended for the language contained in my tweet, I understand it was completely unacceptable, I should have never have let my emotions take over," she wrote.
"I would never condone racism in any way."
Northern Ireland fans were left reeling in the wake of the controversial penalty with some taking to social media to express their dismay at the result.
"Just seen penalty given against @NorthernIreland, utterly ridiculous", one fan said while another commented: "Terrible decision in Belfast. Never handball or a penalty".
Another fan wrote: "The penalty decision in the N. Ireland game a travesty" while others commented: "Absolute disgrace. Worst refereeing decision I have even seen!! Never a penalty. Come on Northern Ireland, we can do this".
Northern Ireland manager, Michael O'Neill urged fans to "channel the anger" caused by the controversial penalty decision as the team head into a second pitch battle with Switzerland.
"I am staggered by the decision - it is bewildering," he said.
"The players are angry but we have to find a way to get a result on Sunday. We are still in the tie. We are going to have to find a way to get a goal back".
