Referee defends World Cup red card for Rooney
4/7/2006 15:24
The referee who gave Wayne Rooney a red card in the match that saw England
crash out of the World Cup has defended his decision.
"It was violent play
and therefore he got a red card," Argentine referee Horacio Elizondo told
today's edition of Britain's Times newspaper.
Portugal's Ronaldo rushed 30
meters to the referee, apparently to demand a card for Rooney who had trod on
Carvalho's groin.
Rooney pushed Ronaldo, his Manchester United team mate, who
was captured on TV cameras winking at his bench as the England forward walked
off the pitch having been dismissed.
"People can say what they want, but this
had absolutely no influence," said Elizondo.
"For me it was a clear red card,
so I didn't react to the Portuguese players. There was pushing and shoving on
boh sides, but for me it wasn't a reason to caution anybody."
Overall,
Elizondo said he was "very satisfied with the spirit of fair play" in the match
that saw England defeated 3-1 on penalty points, and that England coach Sven
Goran Eriksson had congratulated him for an "excellent performance".
"He said
that I was right to send off Rooney because it was rough play."
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