DENMARK COACH OLSEN APOLOGISES FOR 9/11 COMMENT
ESPN.co.uk
Sept 10 2013
Morten Olsen has apologised after likening Denmark's 4-0 World Cup
qualifying defeat against Armenia to 9/11.
The Denmark coach is readying his side for the return fixture, after
losing heavily at Copenhagen on June 11, and made the comment to
reporters in the pre-match press conference.
"For us Danes I think that if you are in or around the team, this
game in June is a blemish that needs to be washed away," Olsen said.
"Perhaps it's a bit rough to compare, but in terms of football,
it was our September 11."
Olsen's comments come almost 12 years to the day since nearly 3,000
people lost their lives in a terrorist attack in New York.
However, in an attempt to reverse any offence, an apology was quickly
issued from the Danish Football Association's official Twitter account
from Olsen, which read: "I'm sorry if my comparison - despite my
reservations - inadvertently offended some people."
Denmark are fifth, one off bottom, in Group B after seven games,
but are just one point behind Bulgaria in second place leaving faint
hope of qualifying for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil via the play-offs.
Even if the Danes win all three of their remaining fixtures against
Armenia, Italy and Malta, they are not guaranteed a play-off spot. A
loss on tuesday in Yerevan would virtually end their chances.
http://www.espn.co.uk/football/sport/story/236769.html
ESPN.co.uk
Sept 10 2013
Morten Olsen has apologised after likening Denmark's 4-0 World Cup
qualifying defeat against Armenia to 9/11.
The Denmark coach is readying his side for the return fixture, after
losing heavily at Copenhagen on June 11, and made the comment to
reporters in the pre-match press conference.
"For us Danes I think that if you are in or around the team, this
game in June is a blemish that needs to be washed away," Olsen said.
"Perhaps it's a bit rough to compare, but in terms of football,
it was our September 11."
Olsen's comments come almost 12 years to the day since nearly 3,000
people lost their lives in a terrorist attack in New York.
However, in an attempt to reverse any offence, an apology was quickly
issued from the Danish Football Association's official Twitter account
from Olsen, which read: "I'm sorry if my comparison - despite my
reservations - inadvertently offended some people."
Denmark are fifth, one off bottom, in Group B after seven games,
but are just one point behind Bulgaria in second place leaving faint
hope of qualifying for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil via the play-offs.
Even if the Danes win all three of their remaining fixtures against
Armenia, Italy and Malta, they are not guaranteed a play-off spot. A
loss on tuesday in Yerevan would virtually end their chances.
http://www.espn.co.uk/football/sport/story/236769.html