Uruguay unhappy over referee

MARACAIBO, Venezuela: Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez complained that Brazil got the best dressing rooms for Tuesday's Copa America semifinal and was also angry about the refereeing in the penalty shootout.

Uruguay twice came from behind to draw 2-2 in normal time before going down 5-4 on penalties to the defending champions. Extra time is not played in the Copa America.

Television replays showed that Brazil goalkeeper Doni moved before saving Diego Lugano's final kick for Uruguay to send his team to the final.

"It seemed to me that on the last penalty it was very clear that the goalkeeper moved, I told (referee Oscar) Ruiz but he ignored me," said coach Oscar Tabarez.

Tabarez also criticized Ruiz for allowing Doni to approach the Uruguayan players and stand over the ball on the penalty spot before each kick.

"We shouted at Ruiz that he could not let Doni go up to our players, but this permissiveness goes much further than Ruiz," Tabarez added.

"There are certain things which happen...for example, they built two new dressing rooms at the stadium and both of them were given to Brazil. They sent us to the old one."

Striker Diego Forlan, who scored Uruguay's first goal and missed their first penalty, said he had suffered a sleepless night.

"The truth is that it was tough, a long night," he said.

"It really makes you angry to get knocked out after being so close."

Agencies

(China Daily 07/13/2007 page24)