Ref angers Ronaldo
06 Jul 2006 - 08:10:49
-
- Ref angers Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo felt referee Jorge Larrionda was partly to blame for Portugal's World Cup semi-final defeat by France in Munich on Wednesday.
Zinedine Zidane scored the only goal of the game from the penalty spot after Ricardo Carvalho brought down Thierry Henry just after the half-hour mark.
Portugal's players barely contested the decision, but felt they should have had a penalty of their own shortly afterwards when Ronaldo tumbled in the box, despite television replays clearly showing the Manchester United winger had dived.
Larrionda then further angered the Portuguese by allowing several France defenders to escape unpunished for some strong challenges.
A despondent Ronaldo moaned: "We played well and did our best but the referee didn't help us.
"Everyone who saw the match could see that the referee wasn't fair.
"He should have shown yellow cards but he did not because Portugal is a small country. We just have to carry on working and then we will be a big country.
"Portugal showed that they can play good football.
"France were no better than we were. They got a penalty but not much else.
"We are disappointed not to reach the final after such a match. We really wanted to go through but didn't make it. It is the end of our dream. But we have to congratulate France."