Germany goalkeeper Jens Lehmann slammed the performance of
Italian referee Roberto Rosetti during Sunday's Euro 2008 final
against Spain in Vienna, describing him as "biased".
Germany lost the match 1-0 and although Lehmann concedes Spain
were worthy winners of the title, he was far from impressed by the
role played by Rosetti.
"What was disappointing in my opinion was the performance of the
referee, who didn't really fancy us Germans, and this is the third
time I was unlucky with referees in European cup finals," said the
former Arsenal goalkeeper.
Two incidents in particular stood out for Lehmann.
The first was when Spain midfielder David Silva looked to head-butt Lukas
Podolski but escaped without punishment, and
then in the dying minutes when a promising Germany attack was stopped for what
Lehmann felt was a non-existent foul.
Lehmann, who tried to speak to Rosetti after the final whistle,
said: "He was very arrogant and in my opinion he was biased. He
clearly saw a head-butt from a Spanish player towards Lukas
Podolski, he didn't book him or give him a red card.
"Just before the end we had a good chance in the penalty area
and all of a sudden he gave a foul against us where even the
Spanish players were surprised to get a free-kick. It was very
disappointing."
