Slovaks cry foul after Spain defeat

SLOVAKIAN international midfielder Miroslav Karhan has accused football’s governing body FIFA of not wanting his country to qualify for the 2006 World Cup finals at the expense of Spain.

Spain thrashed Slovakia 5-1 in the first leg of the World Cup play-off match on Saturday and VfL Wolfsburg midfielder Karhan claimed the result, and some dubious refereeing decisions, smacked of a conspiracy.

“FIFA does not want Slovakia at the World Cup,” Karhan said.

“Spain have more influence and would be a better guest in Germany. It is a disgrace and a catastrophe.”

Karhan also accused Italian referee Massimo de Santis of favouring Spain and helping them to record such a comfortable first leg win.

“It should not be an excuse but the referee was a catastrophe and was against us for the first three goals. After the sending off we had no chance,” fumed Karhan.

Slovakia have never qualified for the World Cup and need a miracle to overturn the 5-1 deficit in Bratislava.

Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas has warned his team mates against taking it easy in the return leg.

Slovakia finished Saturday’s game in Madrid with 10 men and on the receiving end of a drubbing that makes Spain runaway favourites to reach next year’s finals in Germany. “The margin of victory isn’t good because we could be tempted to relax, though it’s better to go with a 5-1 advantage than a 2-1 for the return leg,” Casillas said yesterday.

“We are conscious of the situation and are keen to go to the World Cup finals in Germany, so we are not going to ease off.” Winger Luis Garcia scored a hat-trick and there was a goal apiece for Liverpool team mate Fernando Morientes and Atletico Madrid striker Fernando Torres in an impressive display of attacking football in the Calderon.

But Slovakia coach Dusan Galis, who was sent from the bench during the match, and his players were furious with the performance of Italian referee Massimo De Santis, who also sent off defender Marian Had.

The Slovaks have promised Spain a “warm welcome” in Bratislava.

Casillas said: “They’ll be really angry. If I had lost 5-1 in a World Cup playoff I would be as well and would go for it in the second leg.

“They’ll try and score in the first 15 minutes and take it from there. I have never conceded four goals with Spain but I don’t want to tempt fate by saying it couldn’t happen.”

FA Cup First Round replays: Weymouth 0 Notts Forest 2, Worcester City 1 Chippenham 0.