Referee apologises to Leeds

Raul had more to celebrate than Leeds

Referee Ryszard Wojcik apologised to every member of the Leeds team after failing to spot a blatant handball by Raul in Real Madrid's 3-2 Champions League win.

And the Polish official's actions at the Bernabeu met with the approval of Leeds boss David O'Leary.

"The one thing I admire about the referee - you don't get it much and I've never come across it - is that he asked to come into the dressing room," said the Irishman.

We always looked a threat and considering the players we had out, it was a fantastic performance

  David O'Leary

"He did so and apologised to every player about the first goal. He said he didn't see it, but he has seen it now, although if he didn't see it then he can't give it.

"But he has apologised and I think that took a big man and a brave man to come in and fair play to him, particularly as we didn't deserve to lose this game."

"We always looked a threat and considering the players we had out, it was a fantastic performance and they did themselves proud."

O'Leary added: "Madrid are an excellent side who I don't think will be far away from winning the competition, so our performance against the holders of the Champions League was excellent."

Skipper Lucas Radebe was stretchered off with a knee injury after 65 minutes, but fellow centre-back Rio Ferdinand was more upbeat about the South African's condition.

"Lucas was in good spirits in the dressing room after the game," said Ferdinand. "Hopefully he will be OK for next week's match against Lazio."

The defeat means Leeds will finish as runners up to Real Madrid in Group D and will face one of the other three group winners in the quarter-finals.