Tue Jun 10 12:31:48 2008

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UEFA: Van Nistelrooy's goal was OK

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Berne, Switzerland (Sports Network) - UEFA insisted Ruud van Nistelrooy's opening goal for Netherlands in Monday's 3-0 win over Italy was correctly awarded, saying the referee made the correct decision in not ruling offside.

Van Nistelrooy set the Dutch on their way to an impressive victory after he tapped home Giovanni van Bronckhorst's low shot when appearing to stand in an offside position.

However, referee Peter Frojdfeldt ruled that the goal should stand as Italy fullback Christian Panucci was deemed to still be in play despite being off the field following a collision with goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon.

"If we did not have this interpretation then what could happen is the defending team could step off the pitch to play offside and that is clearly unacceptable," UEFA General Secretary David Taylor said.

"We have to have the laws as simple as possible for the referee to interpret and for tactical use of the laws if you introduce other interpretations.

"As a defender you are in play unless you have permission to be off the field."

(Courtesy of sportbox.tv)