Referee admits being too hasty over Lehmann sending off

REFEREE Terje Hauge has admitted he may have acted too hastily in sending off Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann in the Champions League final against Barcelona.

Lehmann saw red after 18 minutes in Paris following a challenge on Barcelona striker Samuel Eto’o just outside the area. The loose ball fell to Ludovic Giuly, who slotted it into an empty net.

Many observers felt Hauge should have used the advantage rule, given the goal and allowed Lehmann to stay on the pitch.