Shamed Danes back Handel decision

THE EURO 2008 qualifier between Sweden and Denmark was abandoned at 3-3 Saturday after a Danish fan tried to attack the referee for awarding a penalty kick in the 89th minute.

Danish soccer officials initially said referee Herbert Fandel had awarded Sweden a 3-0 victory, but European soccer’s governing body said the result would have to be confirmed by an investigation.

“No decision has been taken,” UEFA spokesman Fritz Ahlstrom said.

Denmark had rallied from a 3-0 deficit to tie it 3-3 before Fandel sent off Denmark defender Christian Poulsen for punching Sweden striker Markus Rosenberg in the stomach.

After Fandel pointed to the penalty spot at Parken Stadium, the spectator charged onto the field and tried to punch the referee. He was intercepted by Danish defender Michael Gravgaard. Danish police said the attacker had been arrested.

Fandel and his linesmen walked off the field, and Danish soccer federation spokesman Lars Behrendt soon announced the referee had given Sweden the 3-0 victory.

“It is a sad ending,” Denmark striker Jon Dahl Tomasson admitted. “I can understand that the referee called off the game. This is going to cost us.”

Sweden had led 3-0 inside 26 minutes in the Group F game after two goals by Johan Elmander and another from Peter Hansson. But goals from Daniel Agger (34th), Tomasson (62nd) and substitute Leon Andreasen (77th) set up Denmark’s comeback.

If UEFA confirms the result, Sweden leads the group with 15 points from six games, two more than Northern Ireland. Denmark is fourth with seven points from five games.

Media reaction in both countries was uncompromising, lashing out at the fan who attacked Fandel and at security arrangements at Parken stadium.

“42,000 spectators were witnesses to Danish football’s black day. A day where Denmark’s self-image as a restrained and decent football crowd was jeopardised by a fool without self-control,” Jyllands-Posten wrote yesterday.

Danish media identified the attacker as a 29-year-old Dane living in Sweden and reported he was released after a hearing early yesterday.

The result of the Group F tie will not be confirmed until an investigation by UEFA’s disciplinary committee.

But the Danish Football Association (DBU) said it would not protest if

UEFA gave Sweden victory and DBU general secretary and UEFA disciplinary committee member Jim Hansen said he thought victory would be awarded to Sweden.

That would leave Denmark struggling even more badly in fourth place.

Jyllands-Posten criticised the safety arrangements at Parken saying in an editorial it was depressing to think how serious the consequences for Denmark could be, but praised Fandel’s decision to abandon the match.

Police said the aftermath had been relatively calm in Copenhagen, although 32 people were arrested near the stadium and in the city centre.