Spain happy with referee Frisk

Spain have no complaints about the choice of Anders Frisk to referee tomorrow's showdown with Portugal, despite unhappy memories of the Swede and resentment over their last meeting with tournament hosts. "I have absolute faith that the refereeing job...

Spain have no complaints about the choice of Anders Frisk to referee tomorrow's showdown with Portugal, despite unhappy memories of the Swede and resentment over their last meeting with tournament hosts.

"I have absolute faith that the refereeing job will be done with justice," Spain coach Inaki Saez said, after learning from reporters that Frisk would control the Group A game at the Jose Alvalade stadium.

"UEFA have 12 prestigious referees here and as far as I'm concerned there's nothing even to consider on this issue."

Spain need a draw from tomorrow's game to be sure of reaching the quarter-finals while Portugal must win to go through.

Frisk was singled out for fierce criticism from Spain's then coach Jose Antonio Camacho when he awarded Ireland two penalties in normal time in their game at the World Cup in 2002. Ireland missed the first but put away the second in the final minute to force extra-time and Spain had to fight their way through a penalty shoot-out.

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