An assistant referee for tomorrow night's Champions League final between Arsenal and Barcelona has apologised for being photographed in a Barcelona shirt and insists he is impartial.
Linesman Ole Hermann Borgan appeared in Norwegian newspaper Drammens Tidende wearing Barça colours. It is understood the paper wanted the official to wear both shirts in the photoshoot, but Borgan only owned a Barcelona one.
"It was both thoughtless and stupid of me," said Borgan. "I didn't think the situation and consequences through when I was asked to put on the shirt. The newspaper asked if I had both uniforms, Barcelona and Arsenal. I said 'No, I don't. I only have the Barcelona one.'
"I didn't think any more about it until I started getting phone calls early this morning. I don't have either Barcelona or Arsenal as a favourite team. We are on our way to Paris to do a good job - nothing more, nothing less."
Norwegian referee Terje Hauge, who will officiate tomorrow's final at the Stade de France, said it was "not very smart of Borgan to pose in one of the finalists' uniforms", while the country's chief of referees, Rune Pedersen, added: "There is an unwritten rule that officials must not do anything which will cast doubt on their impartiality."
Hauge himself came in for strong criticism from Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho in February after sending off Asier del Horno during the 2-1 Champions League defeat against Barcelona.