The general team manager of the world champions cranks up war of words with Group F rivals by claiming Swedes paid the price for time-wasting
GERMAN legend Oliver Bierhoff hit back at Sweden claiming they paid the price for time-wasting.
Euro 96 winner Bierhoff — now the general team manager — was involved in the bust-up with the Swedish bench after Toni Kroos’ 95th-minute goal saw the holders win 2-1 and escape an early KO.
Sweden coach Janne Andersson had to be pulled away as tempers flared over the Germans’ celebrations.
Yet Bierhoff, 50, cranked up the war of words, claiming the Swedes’ time-wasting had sparked the bad feeling in a feisty Group F clash.
He said: “Emotions did run high, I also had some words with the Swedes. The fact is such a negative way of playing and so much time-wasting doesn’t deserve to be rewarded.”
After Kroos’ last-gasp free-kick, two German officials went over to the opposition dugout and started clapping.
Sweden midfielder Emil Forsberg said: “It was disgusting behaviour, a total lack of respect.”
The chief German protagonists were press officer Uli Voigt and logistics manager George Behlau.
Coach Andersson condemned the German actions after the game.
And ex-Sunderland and Hull midfielder Sebastian Larsson, said: “It’s not nice to hear such a big nation behaving like that. If they want to behave poorly, that’s on them.”
There has been an apology from Germany, although their actions will not be forgotten by many of the Scandinavian players.
Striker John Guidetti said: “We thought they were wrong.
“You shouldn’t celebrate the way they did in front of our bench. You can celebrate with your own fans.”
Leeds centre-back Pontus Jansson added: “There were a lot of emotions from them and from us. We were angry of course. I like to see that. Maybe bad from them but that’s how it is.”
