Gus Poyet has hit back strongly at ‘spying’ claims involving Gary Dicker – and said they were mostly talking about Albion.

The controversy ahead of the Republic of Ireland’s home game against Greece in a Euro 2024 qualifier involves ex-Seagulls midfielder Keith Andrews.

Andrews, now assistant to Republic boss Stephen Kenny, this week suggested Poyet had been given inside information ahead of his side’s 2-1 Group B victory over Ireland in Athens in June, when Albion academy coach Dicker was among the crowd at the OPAP Arena.

But Greece boss Poyet has in turn accused Andrews of “making a big mistake”.

Asked whether he had heard what Andrews had said, Poyet replied: “They sent it to me two days ago. It was sad. I was very disappointed.

“I don’t know Keith. From outside, I’ve seen him talking on television and the way he played football, I felt he was an intelligent man, and he made a mistake, a big mistake.

“First, I don’t invite people to watch my training. I don’t. Secondly, nobody told me how the Republic of Ireland plays.

“Third, if you look how your country played before they played us: France at home, 5-4-1. Three days before that, they play Latvia, 5-3-2. How did they play against us? 5-3-2 in the first half, 5-4-1 in the second.

“Do you really think I need information? Let’s say he is young, made a mistake, made excuses. But I was disappointed, very disappointed.”

Asked about Dicker’s presence in Athens, where he attended one of the Greeks’ training sessions, Poyet said: “Gary is one of the most intelligent players I had in my time at Brighton. 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 Greek 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.”

Poyet regularly spoke highly of Dicker when the Irish midfielder pulled the strings for his Albion side on the way to the League One title in 2010-11.

Dicker is now pursuing a coaching career working alongside Shannon Ruth with Albion under-21s.