GUILTY AS CHARGED

From the Times:

Elizondo, the Argentinian in charge of England's quarter- final defeat, confirmed that he sent off Rooney for lashing out with his boot and catching the defender in the groin, not for the 20-year-old's push on Ronaldo.

“It was violent play and therefore he got a red card,” Elizondo said.

On Ronaldo:

“People can say what they want, but this had absolutely no influence. In general I don't pay much attention to that sort of thing because I don't care about the pressure on my shoulders during a match.

“For me it was a clear red card, so I didn't react to the Portuguese players. There was pushing and shoving on both sides, but for me it wasn't a reason to caution anybody.”

Elizondo defended himself against accusations that he had failed to book several of England's opponents for diving.

“I got advice from Fifa's referees committee that if there is a slight touch but it's not a foul, then to say, ‘come on, get up', and not give an immediate caution. I only give yellow cards for clear diving and I didn't think there was any.

“In general I'm very satisfied with the spirit of fair play in the match. Sven-Göran Eriksson went to the locker-room after the match and congratulated me for an excellent performance and said that I was right to send off Rooney because it was rough play.”