Norwegian referee Terje Hauge, who was criticized for sending off Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann after just 18 minutes against Barcelona in Wednesday night’s Champions League final, said he may have blown the whistle too early, a Norwegian newspaper reported on Thursday.
”I have to admit that I blew the whistle just a tad too soon, but I was extremely focused,” Hauge was quoted as telling the online edition of the Oslo tabloid Verdens Gang.
”The goalkeeper [Lehmann] fouled the player [Samule Eto’o] and I blew the whistle without seeing where the ball went,” Hauge added.
Hauge said the incident was unfortunate but underlined that events on the pitch moved very fast.
”The situation was a little unlucky, but I have to accept what I did. Perhaps I should have waited and waited, but that is what it is like for referees today,” Hauge said.
Verdens Gang online readers appeared to back Hauge. In an online poll two thirds of some 21 300 voters said Hauge made the right decision to send off Lehmann.
Hauge was also praised by Rune Pedersen, head of referees at the Norwegian Football Association, who watched Barcelona win the dramatic final over Arsenal 2-1. — Sapa-dpa