Madrid stars slam Nielsen

A number of Real Madrid players have criticised referee Kim Nielsen in the wake of the Champions League semi-final defeat to Bayern Munich.

Nearly all the Real team felt that they should have been awarded a penalty when Patrik Andersson chopped down Jose Maria Guti in the 32nd minute. Others wanted to see goal hero Jens Jeremies sent off later on for his wayward challenge on Roberto Carlos.

The most outspoken in the Real camp after the game was Ivan Helguera, who believes that the powers that be have conspired to prevent another all-Spanish cup final - which would have been the second in two years.

Helguera scoffed: "Nobody wanted an all-Spanish cup final - apart from most Spaniards. After the first leg in Madrid, Bayern pressed forward a lot more and they beat us, clearly with the help of the referee.

"We weren't happy with the ref in the first game but this one was even worse. If he had blown for the penalty on Guti then it would have changed the pattern of the game."