Rau - I tried to keep the peace
Germany international Tobias Rau insists he was trying to calm the volatile Euro 2004 qualifier against Scotland rather than ignite it.
The midfielder was at the centre of controversy throughout the stormy 2-1 win over Berti Vogts’ side in Dortmund with Maurice Ross earning a red card for two challenges on the Bayern Munich player.
Scotland defender Christian Dailly slammed the Germans as “cheats” for diving after the game.
But Rau maintains Ross can have few complaints about his dismissal.
He said: “This was the hardest, most physical match I’ve ever taken part in.
“I tried to get on with my own game but the Scots players seemed to have a problem with the physical side.
“I had to tell them to calm down, it was only a game, but they didn’t want to listen.
“I feel very sorry for Ross but, on the other hand, his kind of tackling should always be met with yellow cards. So, he cannot complain.”
