Euro qualifier abandoned after fan attack
COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) -- The European Championship qualifier
between Sweden and Denmark was abandoned at 3-3 Saturday after a
Danish fan tried to attack the referee for awarding a penalty kick
in the 89th minute.
Danish soccer officials initially said referee Herbert Fandel had
awarded Sweden a 3-0 victory, but European soccer's governing body
said the result would have to be confirmed by an
investigation.
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"No decision has been taken," UEFA spokesman Fritz Ahlstrom
said.
Denmark had rallied from a 3-0 deficit to tie it 3-3 before Fandel
sent off Denmark defender Christian Poulsen for punching Sweden
striker Markus Rosenberg in the stomach.
After Fandel pointed to the penalty spot at Parken Stadium, the
spectator charged onto the field and tried to punch the referee. He
was intercepted by Danish defender Michael Gravgaard. Danish police
said the attacker had been arrested.
Fandel and his linesmen walked off the field, and Danish soccer
federation spokesman Lars Behrendt soon announced the referee had
given Sweden the 3-0 victory.
"It is a sad ending," Denmark striker Jon Dahl Tomasson told Danish
TV. "I can understand that the referee called off the game. This is
going to cost us."
Sweden had led 3-0 inside 26 minutes in the Group F game after two
goals by Johan Elmander and another from Peter Hansson. But goals
from Daniel Agger (34th), Tomasson (62nd) and substitute Leon
Andreasen (77th) set up Denmark's comeback.
If UEFA confirms the result, Sweden leads the group with 15 points
from six games, two more than idle Northern Ireland. Denmark is
fourth with seven points from five games.
"The match was a bit too entertaining and got a terribly bad
ending," Sweden coach Lars Lagerback said.