Thu 21 October, 2004 13:12
By Mark Ledsom
BERN (
Reuters)
Swiss referee Urs Meier says he was shocked after hackers broke into his personal website and posted a fake apology for his decision to disallow an England goal at Euro 2004.
Meier received death threats after he controversially ruled out a late effort by defender Sol Campbell during England's quarter-final defeat by hosts Portugal in June.
"It's unbelievable -- I really thought this whole story was over," Meier told Swiss newspaper Blick. "Even in England, where I was starting to receive positive reports, the situation seemed to have returned to normal."
The hacker posted the message in English, prompting Swiss media to speculate that a disgruntled England fan may have been responsible.
"I took money from a senior UEFA official so that the hosts, Portugal, would stay in the tournament," the website falsely quoted Meier as saying.
"I am really sorry, and after all that's happened I can no longer referee at this level. So I am retiring immediately."
One correct fact concerned Meier's international retirement, although this happened because the 45-year-old reached the age limit for referees.
He continues to oversee Champions League matches, however, and refereed Inter Milan's 5-1 victory in Valencia on Wednesday.
