Ovrebo admits mistake

Referee holds hands up over Klose goal

Last updated: 19th February 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Ovrebo admits mistake

Ovrebo: Holds hands up

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Referee Tom Henning Ovrebo has accepted that he was wrong to allow Miroslav Klose's late winner for Bayern Munich against Fiorentina.

The German striker nodded home with just one minute remaining to give Bayern a crucial lead at the halfway point of the UEFA Champions League last-16 tie.

However, replays showed that his effort should have been ruled out for offside and Ovrebo admits it was a mistake on the part of the officials.

"Based on the pictures and the feedback we've received, it's clear we should have realised it was offside," Ovrebro told Norwegian television channel TV2.

"But we unfortunately did not realise that on the pitch.

"Based on the advice I got from my assistant, I chose to approve the goal - and it is my responsibility.

"I always get just the advice of an assistant referee but I make a final decision.

"But the pictures later show that it was perhaps not so wise."

Hard to say

Ovrebo was at the centre of controversy after taking charge of the semi-final between Barcelona and Chelsea last season and his overall performance in Wednesday's clash at the Allianz Arena has been criticised in some quarters.

Fiorentina's Massimo Gobbi was sent off for an innocuous-looking tackle, while Klose avoided a dismissal for what appeared a more dangerous challenge.

Ovrebo's future in the game has been questioned but he is refusing to speculate on whether Uefa might take action.

"It's hard to say. It's up to Uefa to consider," he said.

"We take the games we get. Then Uefa assess whether we are good enough for new duties."

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