Behrami rages at Vidal

22 June 2010 10:00

Switzerland midfielder Valon Behrami accused Chile counterpart Arturo Vidal of destroying his World Cup after he was sent off in Monday's Group H clash.

The West Ham player was given a straight red card by Saudi Arabian referee Khalil Al Ghamdi after tangling with Jean Beausejour and then Vidal 30 minutes into his side's 1-0 defeat by the South Americans.

Behrami said: "How I feel now is that it's destroyed my World Cup. A season like this, it's unbelievable. I just wanted to protect the ball, like I have done every time. It's unbelievable for me."

He added: "It surprised me because it's normal to have contact in football. My movement wasn't [intended] to create damage or do something to the player."

Swiss coach Ottmar Hitzfeld was even more scathing about the decision, which left his team facing a desperate fight to stay in the game.

He said: "Of course I was angry because I was just three or four metres away when Valon Behrami defended the ball and then Vidal fell down with a lot of drama. It was quite a performance.

"It clearly wasn't a red card - it wasn't even a yellow card. It was unfair on the part of Vidal to roll around on the floor simply asking for the red card.

"There are some referees who should whistle on the field and some who should whistle on the beach."

Source: PA