AUCKLAND: Wales lost the World Cup semi-finals to France at Eden Park on Saturday, but not without some controversy. France won 9-8. Wales captain Sam Warburton was given a red card by referee Alain Rolland just 18 minutes into the game after tackling France's wing Vincent Clerc. Warburton denied there was anything wrong with the tackle, in which he lifted Clerc off the ground and tipped him beyond horizontal and then fell with his hand on Clerc's face. “As soon as I hit him his body weight controlled what happened, I went to compete for the ball afterwards thinking it was a normal tackle and the next thing I know I was walking off,” said Warburton. Clerc felt that the right decision had been made. “I was tackled at the same time I received the ball. I felt him immediately lift me up and when I fall down on the floor I thought he was going to get at least a yellow card for this tackle,” Clerc said. “He put my feet up to my head and we have seen since the beginning of the competition, every time it has been penalized with a red card or yellow card. “Regarding whether it is a fair sentence, I would say yes.” BM
