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Linesman apologises to Azzurri Sunday 9 June, 2002
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Danish linesman Jens Larsen has apologised for his errors which saw two crucial goals ruled out in the 2-1 defeat to Croatia, but the Azzurri remain extremely angry.
¡§Larsen does not wish to speak to anyone right now,¡¨ revealed FIFA¡¦s refereeing co-ordinator Roberto Raia.
¡§He realises that he made a mistake and is very sorry, particularly on Christian Vieri¡¦s goal.¡¨
The Italian international had nodded the ball into the back of the net only to see the flag waved for offside. Television pictures showed he was in line with the defenders and behind the ball.
¡§Larsen is upset at having made this error,¡¨ continued Raia. ¡§He realises all too well what he has done.¡¨
However, the linesman attempted to justify his second error, ruling out Filippo Inzaghi¡¦s last-minute equaliser for a shirt-tugging incident.
¡§He explained to me that it was a difficult situation to rule on as both the players were holding on to each other¡¦s shirts at the time.¡¨
Italy will not be making a formal protest as FIFA released a statement maintaining that these two costly errors fall within the norm.
¡§Referees are human and therefore can make mistakes,¡¨ read the statement. ¡§Even if Italy take this to court it won¡¦t change the result of the game.¡¨
¡§At this point we can only hope that Italy qualify for the next round of this World Cup.¡¨
Italy must beat Mexico next Thursday in order to be sure of making it through to the final 16.
Even Larsen¡¦s admission has not calmed the man involved in the first goal. ¡§He deserves to be shot,¡¨ snapped Vieri at a press conference this morning.
¡§I have never seen anything like it in my entire career. In League football we may see errors, but this is a World Cup and should have different standards.¡¨
¡§They say,¡¨ he continued, ¡§that we players should have a good relationship with the referee and show fair play. It¡¦s becoming increasingly difficult for me to live up to that.¡¨
The goals came at crucial moments in this delicate match, particularly what would have been the equaliser.
¡§Inzaghi¡¦s goal being annulled was the craziest thing I have ever seen on a football pitch. It was incredible. Just incredible.¡¨
Nonetheless, Vieri hopes that their anger can be turned into positive energy against current Group G leaders Mexico.
¡§We have so much anger inside our bodies that it will help us do better from now on. Traditionally Italy give their best when they are placed in a difficult position and we want to carry on that tendency.¡¨
¡§The knockout stages have started a game early for us. This is the time to bring out our character.¡¨
channel4
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Danish linesman Jens Larsen has apologised for his errors which saw two crucial goals ruled out in the 2-1 defeat to Croatia, but the Azzurri remain extremely angry.
¡§Larsen does not wish to speak to anyone right now,¡¨ revealed FIFA¡¦s refereeing co-ordinator Roberto Raia.
¡§He realises that he made a mistake and is very sorry, particularly on Christian Vieri¡¦s goal.¡¨
The Italian international had nodded the ball into the back of the net only to see the flag waved for offside. Television pictures showed he was in line with the defenders and behind the ball.
¡§Larsen is upset at having made this error,¡¨ continued Raia. ¡§He realises all too well what he has done.¡¨
However, the linesman attempted to justify his second error, ruling out Filippo Inzaghi¡¦s last-minute equaliser for a shirt-tugging incident.
¡§He explained to me that it was a difficult situation to rule on as both the players were holding on to each other¡¦s shirts at the time.¡¨
Italy will not be making a formal protest as FIFA released a statement maintaining that these two costly errors fall within the norm.
¡§Referees are human and therefore can make mistakes,¡¨ read the statement. ¡§Even if Italy take this to court it won¡¦t change the result of the game.¡¨
¡§At this point we can only hope that Italy qualify for the next round of this World Cup.¡¨
Italy must beat Mexico next Thursday in order to be sure of making it through to the final 16.
Even Larsen¡¦s admission has not calmed the man involved in the first goal. ¡§He deserves to be shot,¡¨ snapped Vieri at a press conference this morning.
¡§I have never seen anything like it in my entire career. In League football we may see errors, but this is a World Cup and should have different standards.¡¨
¡§They say,¡¨ he continued, ¡§that we players should have a good relationship with the referee and show fair play. It¡¦s becoming increasingly difficult for me to live up to that.¡¨
The goals came at crucial moments in this delicate match, particularly what would have been the equaliser.
¡§Inzaghi¡¦s goal being annulled was the craziest thing I have ever seen on a football pitch. It was incredible. Just incredible.¡¨
Nonetheless, Vieri hopes that their anger can be turned into positive energy against current Group G leaders Mexico.
¡§We have so much anger inside our bodies that it will help us do better from now on. Traditionally Italy give their best when they are placed in a difficult position and we want to carry on that tendency.¡¨
¡§The knockout stages have started a game early for us. This is the time to bring out our character.¡¨
channel4
