Dutch opener not off-side

Berne, Switzerland: Ruud van Nistelrooy’s opener in Holland’s 3-0 demolition of Italy here on Monday was not offside, the chairman of Austria’s refereeing commission Gerhard Kapl said.

According to Kapl the Dutch striker was played onside by Italian defender Christian Panucci, who had been injured moments earlier and who was behind the goalline as Van Nistelrooy fired home. Kapl said that the decision to award the goal was "100 percent correct". — AFP

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Henry, Vieira in doubt

Zurich, Switzerland: The sight of record scorer Thierry Henry sitting on the bench throughout France’s 0-0 draw against Romania on Monday will only add to coach Raymond Domenech’s injury problems at the European championship.

Already missing captain Patrick Vieira as he recovers from a small thigh tear, Domenech now has to hope Henry is also fit in time to face the Netherlands on Friday. "I think he (Henry) will be operational from tomorrow," Domenech said. — AFP

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‘Maybe France are bored’

Zurich, Switzerland: Romania coach Victor Piturca criticised France after his team held the World Cup finalists to a 0-0 draw at the European Championship on Monday.

"Maybe the French are bored with playing at the highest level and let us Romanians win a point. Personally, I wanted three points," Piturca said. "France are not at the level of football the world is used to. We saw this today." However, Romania captain Cristian Chivu hinted that his team was happy to settle for a point. — AP