Didi Hamann has said that Keith Andrews' comments about Greece manager Gus Poyet gaining inside information on the Ireland team were "needless".
The Ireland assistant boss was put in front of the media during the week, when he commented about Poyet gaining knowledge from Irish coaches, before Greece won the Euro 2024 qualifier between the two nations back in June.
It has since been revealed that Gary Dicker is the man at the centre of the storm, having met up with his ex-Brighton boss in Greece, but there is no evidence to suggestion that Dicker gave away any of Ireland's tactics.
Didi Hamann hits out at Keith Andrews
Speaking on RTÉ ahead of the return fixture at the Aviva on Friday night, Hamann made his feelings about Andrews' comments clear.
"I can't excuse what Keith Andrews said leading up to the game that somebody spied on the Irish team or gave the formation or the team away," said the former Germany international.
"I don't think it had anything to do with the result in Greece. Ireland were outfought, outplayed, and when you come up with these stories, it's a long time ago now, you're clutching at straws.
"All it does is fire up the opposition. I don't think they need firing up because if they better the Netherlands result tonight, they'll have the chance to qualify directly on Monday against the Netherlands. I think it was just needless."
🇮🇪 v 🇬🇷
‘I can’t excuse what Keith Andrews said’ - @DietmarHamann says the Ireland assistant boss was clutching at straws in his comments this week #rtesoccer
📺 Live on @rte2 and @rteplayer 👉 https://t.co/1ncBhUXJWF
📱 Updates on @RTEsport 👉 https://t.co/RNvl9Ic1Ex pic.twitter.com/Z5xUhO5M7R— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) October 13, 2023
Gus Poyet says Keith Andrews was "lying"
Since the comments were made, Poyet has hit back at Andrews, saying that the Dubliner was "lying."
"Gary [Dicker] is one of the most intelligent players I had in my time at Brighton," the Uruguayan told reporters at his own press conference.
"He is proper Irish. Proper. And I promise you – this is one thing that is important – we talked more about how good Brighton play than the Republic of Ireland.
"Definitely Gary had nothing to do with that. He was in Greece, yes he was. He went to the game and the day he came [to training], we did nothing to show him in case he told the Republic of Ireland.
"Gary is a very honest man, he is a top bloke. It was a cheap accusation, very cheap."
