MX23RW : Monday, November 25 08:36:08| >> :600:236067:236067:

Slaven Bilic doesn't blame referee for Croatia's Euro 2012 exit

Slaven Bilic dismisses any thoughts that referee Wolfgang Stark favoured Spain in the final Euro 2012 Group C encounter last night.

Slaven Bilic does not believe that the referee favoured Spain in Croatia's final group game against Spain.

The 43-year-old admitted that the German match official made mistakes during the encounter but does not believe that he blatantly favoured the defending Champions.

Croatia had two penalty claims waved away by Wolfgang Stark, the second of which came just moments before Jesus Navas scored the winning goal in the 88th minute.

Following Croatia's 1-1 draw with Italy, the coach accused the referee Howard Webb of favouring the Azzuri, but this time he refused to blame last night's German official.

"I do not blame Stark for the result," Bilic told reporters at a press conference. "I have watched all the situations again, Spain's offside goal and the penalty on Vedran Corluka.

"But the referee is human and he makes mistakes, like all others do.

"I do not believe in some conspiracy theory. I do not want to believe in them."

The Croats were considered one of the surprise teams of the tournament, remaining in the hunt for qualification right up until the last kick of the game.

"Our goal was to advance from this group and win the title," he added. "And we failed. I am disappointed and sad.

"To guide your country's national team, that is the best thing that can happen to a coach. I am proud of my spell here.

"But now I have a new challenge and I am looking forward to it. Maybe I will come back here some time, maybe I will coach Croatia again, but if you ask me that now, I would say no.

Bilic steps down as coach to take charge of Russian club Lokomotiv Moscow.

ID:31479: cacheID:31479:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2580:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Slaven Bilic
Read Next:
Bilic: Spain not big favourites
>
Read more about Slaven Bilic Football
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool1210112481631
2Manchester CityMan City127232217523
3Chelsea126422314922
4Arsenal126422112922
5Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton126422116522
6Tottenham HotspurSpurs1261527131419
7Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest125431513219
8Aston Villa125431919019
9Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
10Fulham125341717018
11Brentford125252222017
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd124441313016
13Bournemouth124351617-115
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Everton122551017-711
16Leicester CityLeicester122461523-810
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves122372028-89
18Ipswich TownIpswich121651323-109
19Crystal Palace121561017-78
20Southampton121110924-154


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!