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Tuesday, 20 June, 2000, 13:51 GMT 14:51 UK
Referee Nielsen forced out of finals
Danish referee Kim Milton Nielsen, the man who famously sent off David Beckham at France 98, has pulled out of Euro 2000 after straining a thigh muscle.
He was injured during Turkey's 2-0 victory over Belgium on Monday night.
"It's only the second time I've been injured during a match in my entire career," said Nielsen.
"I'm extremely disappointed about having to leave the tournament.
"It happened at the worst possible moment - just before the quarter-finals."
With Denmark eliminated, the experienced Nielsen would had a good chance of refereeing the final on 2 July.
Play was held up shortly before halftime of the group B match when Nielsen had to leave the field.
He was replaced by fourth official Guenter Benko.
Benko was due to referee Wednesday's group C game between Yugoslavia and Spain in Bruges but this game will now be taken by France's Gilles Veissiere.
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