STOCKHOLM French referee Alain Sars was under heavy attack in Sweden on Wednesday over Aik Stockholm's 2-1 Champions League defeat by Barcelona after a goal was scored when the Swedish team were making two substitutions. Swedish newspapers were furious with headlines including "Referee Scandal", "Stolen Victory" and "Theft at Rasunda Stadium". "It Was Alain Sars Who Brought Down Aik," said columnist Mats Olsson in tabloid Expressen. "No one at Rasunda will ever forget him." Aftonbladet columnist Lasse Sandlin said Aik protests to UEFA would be pointless as the victory would not be overturned.

"The Magical Evening at Rasunda Was Destroyed by French Referee Alain Sars," Sandlin wrote. "It's Unbelieveable that Aik's bold start should be ruined by a referee's incompetence." Aik were a goal ahead in Tuesday's Group B match when with just four minutes remaining Barcelona's Abelardo Fernandez headed a goal as the home side were making their substitutions. Barcelona went on to win the game with a Dani Garcia header three minutes into injury time.

Furious Aik Coach Stuart Baxter was red-carded by Sars for his pitchside protests and was even more vocal after the match. "The goal came while we had nine men on the pitch and without us being organized. You can't allow that," he said. The attacks on Sars came fast and furious with Swedes bitter over defeat in the biggest event in Aik's history.

"Aik should be proud of its performance. But the referee destroyed the match for them," said TV3 commentator Thomas Nordahl. "The referee was a joke," said Aik player Pontus Kamark. Angry Aik fans caused a mini-riot after the match, throwing stones at police. Seven people were detained but later released. "They were really very frustrated by the defeat," police spokesman Lars Richter told Expressen. Sars and his three linesmen left the stadium under police escort.

(Reuter)