Lyon accuse Roma after 11 yellow cards shown

Olympique Lyon have accused Roma players of taking a leaf out of Italy defender Marco Materazzi's book in a heated but goalless Champions League match on Wednesday.

Materazzi was headbutted in the chest by France's Zinedine Zidane after a notorious verbal exchange in last year's World Cup final won by Italy.

"It was quite a rough match with unfair behaviour by the Roma players," said Lyon chairman Jean-Michel Aulas of the match in Rome where referee Mike Riley handed out 11 yellow cards - eight of them to Roma.

"There was some verbal abuse too. Several Italian players came to apologise after the game for insults I would brand as similar to the ones against Zinedine Zidane during the World Cup final," he told reporters.

"We needed a great performance tonight to keep our hopes alive," he added.

The first of the Roma players to be booked was French international defender Philippe Mexes, after three minutes, for a tackle on Lyon's playmaker Juninho.

"Mexes didn't go for the ball, he only tried to get me out of the game," said Juninho.

"I got scared in the first few minutes of the match," said Lyon coach Gerard Houllier.

"I was wondering about a 'contract' Roma could have put on Juninho's head. After the match, he was really upset."

The Lyon captain expressed his disappointment about the referee's decisions.

"French clubs are not respected like they should be in the Champions League," Juninho said.

"We saw it with Lille on Tuesday or when we played PSV Eindhoven two years ago."

"We realised tonight that it still goes on. We don't have the same weight as Spanish, Italian or English clubs," the Brazilian added.

Coaches satisfied

Houllier, however, was happy with the outcome and said Wednesday's game was the best by his team since the beginning of the year.

"It seems about right to me. Of course I would have liked to win, but I think 0-0 was the best we could have got tonight," Houllier said.

"I'm happy with the way my players played. It was a typical Champions League match. Very intense, very hard-fought.

"Both sides have about the same capabilities, but getting a draw here in Rome, against a team that is used to winning, was a good result and I'm confident that we can do well in the return leg (on March 6)."

Commenting on the 11 yellow cards, eight to Roma and three to Lyon, produced by Riley, Houllier said:

"Roma won that match 8-3," laughed Houllier, when asked about the bookings.

"The refereeing reflected the regulations made by UEFA, which differ from those in many of the national leagues."

Roma coach Luciano Spalletti felt Lyon's failure to score an away goal could favour his side in the return leg.

"In our away matches in the last two years we've always managed to score a goal," he said.

Roma's slow start to the game was down to nerves, explained Spalletti.

"It took us a little time to gain confidence. But after that we played well. In the return leg I think both teams will be prepared to risk a little more."