James McFadden rails at referee who 'robbed' Scotland of Euro dream

Nov 19 2007 Lisa Gray Liverpool Daily Post

JAMES McFADDEN claimed Scotland had been “absolutely robbed” in their Euro 2008 defeat to Italy on Saturday.

The Everton forward was furious with the decision to award Italy the free- kick from which they scored the late winner to end Hampden hopes of the home side qualifying for next year’s final.

Scotland’s 2-1 defeat to the Italians eliminated Alex McLeish’s side but at 1-1 Scotland were still in with a chance.

But Christian Panucci’s header from Andrea Pirlo’s set-piece shattered Scottish dreams.

Alan Hutton was clearly barged over by Giorgio Chiellini but the Italians were awarded the free-kick and made the most of their good fortune.

McFadden said: “After all the hard work we’ve been absolutely robbed by the referee.

“I think he was shocking. Coming from the Ukraine game, people didn’t want us to qualify and they’ve got what they wanted.”

Scotland fell behind in the second minute but equalised midway through the second half through captain Barry Ferguson.

McFadden almost grabbed a late goal when he slid in but knocked Kenny Miller’s cross just wide.

“They crumbled and it was up to us to kick on and I thought we did,” McFadden said. “I had a great chance and it could have been different if I put that away. I wish I was standing here as the man who had scored the goal to get us to the European Championship, but I haven’t. I just need to take it on the chin and get on with it.”

He added: “I’m bitterly disappointed because we think we deserve to be at a major championships.

“It’s hard to take. I don’t know how to describe the feeling I’ve got.”

McFadden is now determined now to help his country qualify for the 2010 World Cup.

They will soon be able to start formulating travel plans for their next campaign when the World Cup qualifying draw is made next Sunday.

Scotland will be among the second seeds for the draw after their positive European Championship campaign when they finished above higher-ranked Ukraine and pushed World Cup finalists France and Italy to the end.

McFadden said: “I think we can take a lot of credit from this, and it’s something to build on for the World Cup. We have played some good stuff over the campaign.

“I think for the players and fans and the whole country, we deserve to be there but we’re not, so we will look to the World Cup and hopefully we can qualify for that.”

Scotland’s effort was lauded by their fans, who stayed behind to demand their heroes take a bow at a rain- soaked Hampden.

And McFadden added: “Us coming out was for us to show the fans our appreciation of them. They have been absolutely brilliant and hopefully they will be back for the World Cup campaign.”