We were robbed, say Spanish

Spain were incensed by the refereeing after they lost 5-3 to South Korea in a penalty shootout in their World Cup quarter-final. “I thought the referee would be fairer in a quarter-final match like this,” said coach Jose Antonio Camacho after the game finished 0-0 at the end of extra time with two of their goals ruled out. “We fought to the end and worked so hard but we went out because South Korea were luckier than us. I am just sorry we couldn't go any further. “I'm sad because the team worked hard for 120 minutes and we had our chances. We played football to win but we lost. We're annoyed, indignant, a bit of everything. “All that was missing was for the linesman not to have raised his hand and for the referee to award us the two goals. Games shouldn't be decided by the referee but football will survive.” Egyptian referee Gamal Ghandour disallowed two Spanish 'goals', including one by striker Fernando Morientes in extra time, which television replays clearly showed should have stood. Ghandour ruled the extra time effort out when one of his linesmen flagged because he thought the ball had crossed the goalline before Joaquin crossed it for Morientes to head in at the far post. Morientes said he had never seen refereeing like it before. “It could have turned the game around and we are talking about the quarter-finals of a World Cup not a friendly match played just anywhere. “Two goals disallowed -that has never been seen.” Italy were also very angry about the refereeing after they were beaten by Korea with a golden goal in a second round match. Goalkeeper Iker Casillas said: “We knew the referee would be like that. It is just what we expected. “We hope there will be other opportunities to gain success, but now we will have to wait another four years and see if we qualify again. “There are players who know that this was their last World Cup and everyone is hurt and very sad. We haven't lost a game and we are going home.” Casillas, hero of the second round penalty shoot-out win against Ireland, said he was deeply disappointed that he couldn't reproduce his performance this time. “Last week I said that penalties are a lottery and today I just couldn't stop any of them.” Across the country, distraught fans blamed bad luck but above all bad refereeing for their quarter-final exit. “It is always the same story. We never manage to get beyond the quarter-finals,” said Jesus Aguado in Madrid, whose usually bustling streets were near-deserted during the game. Marco Ortega, red-faced after two hours shouting at the television and drinking aniseed liqueur in a Seville bar, cursed the linesmen and Egyptian referee. “I feel terrible. Spain dominated the game but they disallowed two goals,” said the sales manager, aged 34. “Spain were superior to Korea, but sometimes there seems to be no justice in football,” said a commentator on national radio station Onda Cero.