Norwegian referee Terje Hauge has admitted making a mistake by blowing too early for a foul by Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann and denying Barcelona the opening goal in Wednesday's Champions League final.

"I must admit that I was a little early out with that whistle but I was terribly focused on what was happening," Hauge told yesterday's Norwegian tabloid Verdens Gang after Barca were crowned European champions with a 2-1 win.

"The keeper took the man and the whistle blew without my using any time to see where the ball rolled next," he said.

Hauge blew for a foul in the 18th minute after German keeper Lehmann, who was immediately sent off, brought down Barca's Cameroon striker Samuel Eto'o on the edge of the penalty area.

Forward Ludovic Giuly thought he had given Barca the lead when he put the loose ball into an empty net but Hauge had already given a free-kick before dismissing Lehmann.

"It was a bit of an unlucky situation, but I must stand for what I did. I should maybe have waited and waited, but that's how things are for a referee today," added Hauge.

He had come under fire from Arsenal captain Thierry Henry and coach Arsene Wenger after the match for favouring the Spanish champions.

The day before the match Hauge's compatriot Ole Hermann Borgan was replaced as a linesman for the final after posing for a newspaper picture wearing a Barcelona shirt. His "thoughtless and stupid" gesture caused uproar in the British press.