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'Clear case' UEFA defends ref in controversial Portugal loss
Posted: Friday June 30, 2000 02:48 PM ROTTERDAM, Netherlands (AP) -- UEFA said Thursday the controversial handball which led to France's win over Portugal in the Euro 2000 semifinal was intentional and announced it will rule on Sunday to what extent Portugal should be punished for the post-game melee around the referee. Austrian referee Guenter Benkoe awarded a penalty in “golden goal” extra time after the ball ricocheted off the forearm of Abel Xavier. After consulting his linesman Igor Sramka, Benkoe pointed to the spot, ignoring the distraught protests of the Portuguese players who knew a goal would end the match and their championship hopes. France's Zinedine Zidane converted the kick and, under the “golden goal” rule the 2-1 win was final and France went through to the Sunday's final in Rotterdam. “It was a clear case of intentional handball which was seen by the assistant referee,” said Referees' Committee member Volker Roth. “Benkoe correctly decided to award a penalty.” The players erupted with fury. Benkoe and Sramka were hurried from the pitch under a barrage of Portuguese outrage. Portuguese striker Nuno Gomes was given a red card for protesting. The normally good-natured Portuguese fans ripped up seats. They were convinced Portugal had been the victim of one of soccer’s greatest-ever injustices. Emerging after the game, the shell-shocked players lambasted the referee and hinted darkly about machinations to ensure Europe's biggest names made it to the final. The UEFA Control and Disciplinary Body decided to wait until Sunday before ruling on the incident. ”This measure is designed to offer the Portuguese national association an opportunity to submit written evidence,” a UEFA statement said. The Portuguese had also claimed that the French equalizer also was offside but there too, UEFA defended the referee. In the 51st minute, Nicolas Anelka got a ball on the edge of offside, was allowed to turn around and pass back to Thierry Henry, who coolly slotted it past Vito Baia from 10 meters out. “It was evident there was no offisde situation in the move which produced the French equalizer,” Roth said.
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