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Boruc bust-up: 'Emotional' Pole kicked out panel in dressing room after Webb's late penalty decision against Austria
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16 June 2008
Celtic goalkeeper Artur Boruc was at the centre of a new controversy last night when he was accused of causing damage to the Poland dressing room in the aftermath of Howard Webb's controversial last-minute penalty award to Austria.
Sportsmail understands a panel was kicked off the dressing room door inside the Ernst Happel Stadium in Vienna on Thursday, with further evidence of ' vandalism' to a wall.
Now Poland coach Leo Beenhakker has been forced to defend the Celtic keeper, who was named and shamed as the culprit by Polish newspapers.
Anger: Poland's goalkeeper Artur Boruc leaves after a closed training session in Bad Waltersdorf, Austria
Poland were furious that English referee Webb handed co-hosts Austria the last-minute lifeline in the 1-1 draw, a result that has seriously jeopardised Polish hopes of progressing in the tournament.
Webb has been steadfastly backed by UEFA and yesterday he was told he will take charge of Spain's final group game with Greece on Wednesday.
Asked about Boruc's after- match actions, Beenhakker said: "Oh, the lad had just become a father of a healthy son two days previously.
"So, before this incident, he was still highly emotional. He has just left for a return trip, Vienna to Warsaw, so that he can cuddle his wife and baby.
"But tomorrow he'll be back ready to play Croatia just like the rest of the team. Whether we have a chance or not, we're going to stride all the way just like we've done before."
Poland must beat quarter-finalists Croatia by at least two goals in Klagenfurt tonight to have any chance of edging out Germany or Austria, who meet in Vienna.
Feelings have been running so high in Poland that Webb's address was published on the internet and UEFA have security in place at his hotel.
Controversy: Artur Boruc (left) looks unimpressed after the referee awarded a penalty to Austria in the last minute of the group B match
Yesterday, Webb stood by the penalty decision and insisted his only mistake was not to disallow the Poland goal for offside.
Beenhakker also claimed he has not faced any UEFA action for his vehement post-match outburst.
"UEFA have not reprimanded me because I haven't done anything wrong," said the veteran Dutch coach. "I didn't swear at him, I didn't lay my hands on him. 'The only thing I did was tell him what I thought of his performance and, thankfully, that's allowed.
"I've been in this business for 43 years but this takes the biscuit, this beats everything. It was scandalous.
"After the match, it was pandemonium in the tunnel and inside the stadium. The old president, Lech Walesa, was going crazy and was going to run on to the pitch to confront the referee but, thankfully, his legs aren't so good anymore.
"We also had to hold back the Polish Minister of Sport."
Boruc went back to Warsaw after the game to see his son, Alex, for the first time.
The Celtic keeper said: "We have a small chance to reach the last eight but it is only a small chance. It will be hard to raise ourselves after the disappointment in Vienna."
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