Argentinean referee Horacio Elizondo who sent-off England's Wayne Rooney in Saturday's World Cup quarter-final said the player's violent tackle caused his dismissal. "It was violent play and therefore he got a red card," Elizondo told Britain's Times newspaper on Tuesday. Rooney received his marching orders in the 62nd minute of England's loss to Portugal in the quarter-finals after stamping Portuguese defender Ricardo Carvalho in the groin. Elizondo insisted his decision was not influenced by the protests of the Portuguese players. "People can say what they want but this had absolutely no influence," Elizondo said. "In general I don't pay much attention to that sort of thing because I don't care about the pressure on my shoulders during a match," he added. The frenzy began when Rooney's Manchester United teammate Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal rushed to the referee demanding a card for the England striker.
Ronaldo's involvement disappointed Rooney Rooney was infuriated by Ronaldo's action he pushed the Portuguese winger causing a caucus. "There was pushing and shoving on both sides but for me it wasn't a reason to caution anybody," Elizondo said. The 20-year-old Rooney said he was shocked to have been sent off. "I want to say absolutely categorically that I did not intentionally put my foot down on Carvalho," Rooney was quoted as saying. "When the referee produced the red card I was amazed -- gobsmacked." The England international, who is known for his volatile temperament, said that he was disappointed at United teammate Ronaldo. "I bear no ill feeling to Cristiano but am disappointed he chose to get involved," Rooney said.
