Polish Prime Minister wanted to kill English referee

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WARSAW, June 13, 2008 (AFP) - Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk admitted on Friday he wanted to kill English referee Howard Webbb after he awarded Austria an injury-time penalty in their Euro 2008 Group B match - though he said he was speaking as a fan and not in his political capacity.

"Today (Friday), I must speak as Prime Minister but last night my conversation was very different: I wanted to kill somebody ...You know very well who, like every other Pole," added Tusk.

Webb's decision - which was called totally unjustified by Poland coach Leo Beenhakker - saw the co-hosts Austria pull off a 1-1 draw which severely dented Polish hopes of making the last eight as they and the Austrians have just a point and both need to beat Croatia, who have already qualified, and Germany on Monday if they are to have any chance.

"Refereeing errors happen, of course, but this was especially galling. It was totally unjust. It wounded us all.

"It would have been better to have lost this match in the first-half, when the Austrians had several good chances.

"A heavy defeat after a normally refereed game is not as bad," added Tusk, who is a keen football supporter and plays it regularly.