Lehmann accepts red card

Moravcik · Posted: Wed May 17, 2006 11:23 pm

Jens Lehmann has accepted his red card in the UEFA Champions League final, which Arsenal eventually lost to Barcelona 2-1 in Paris.

The Germany international was dismissed for a professional foul on Samuel Eto'o in the 18th minute, despite the fact that referee Terje Hauge could have let the challenge go as Ludovic Giuly put the ball in to an open net.

Lehmann concedes that the referee had to make a snap judgement, with the volatile 36-year-old becoming the first ever player to be sent off in a European Cup final.

''He could have given advantage to Barcelona but the referee had to make a very quick decision and it is difficult for refs to make the right decisions," the German said.

"It was fantastic (watching from the bench) until the first goal of Barcelona.

''We've done very well and fought fantastically, it was a great achievement from the team to play 10 against 11 against a good side.

"But unfortunately I think their first goal was offside. We had a referee in the final who makes two decisions against us."

While Lehmann begrudgingly accepted his dismissal, he did continue to question whether Hauge, who officiates in Norway, was ready for such a massive game.

"We have lost and it's over but everybody has to learn out of everything,'' he concluded.

"Barcelona have the capability to play quickly, so we should have taken a guy who is used to this pace."

oranjepalooza · Posted: Tue May 30, 2006 2:50 am

I was unaware that he didn't accept it.....The minute it happened I knew he was gone, and as a ref I probably would have done the samething.....

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Lehmann accepts red card

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