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BVB FANS ATTACK LEHMANN

BORUSSIA DORTMUND goalkeeper Jens Lehmann was physically attacked by his own supporters after he conceded a penalty in Tuesday's 4-3 triumph over Roda Kerkrade.

The German international gave away a penalty-kick late in the game and angry Borussia supporters flooded on to the pitch heading for the 31-year-old.

The ex-Milan star was forced to defend himself before his team-mates acted as custodians and escorted the shell-shocked player to safety.

The attitude of the 'fans' in what was supposed to be a friendly game enraged the Dortmund hierarchy.

"I am horrified and saddened. I can't excuse such people.

"I will not allow a few idiots to destroy Jens," fumed coach Matthias Sammer.

Sport manager Michael Zorc echoed the sentiments of Sammer describing the protagonists as "incorrigble idiots who are a disgrace for Borussia Dortmund."

Lehmann joined BVB in 1998 but has struggled to win the hearts of the Westfalen crowd largely due to his10 years with Ruhr rivals Schalke.

The shot-stopper, who scored a diving header for Schalke against Dortmund, is still viewed by many of the Schwarz-Gelben faithful as a member of their arch-rivals.

Lehmann's contract expires at the end of the season and despite the managerial support it seems unlikely that Essen-born star will want to continue playing in front of fans who might storm the field if he makes another mistake.