Vogts attacked during press conference
Reuters - Sunday 05 June 2011, 12:20
BERLIN - Azerbaijan coach Berti
Vogts was attacked by three men during a news conference in Baku
on Sunday ahead of Tuesday's Euro 2012 qualifier against Germany
but said he would still sit on the bench.
The German, under fire in Azeri media following his team's
disappointing run, told German reporters in Baku that he had
filed a report with police and would "discuss his next steps
with my lawyers."
He said three men, who were not journalists, attacked him
before being stopped by security guards in the room. Vogts said
he was unhurt.
Vogts, who coached Germany to the 1996 European title, said
he would still coach the team on Tuesday despite the incident.
"I would have long ago left if it were not for my friendship
with the federation president," he told Germany's SID agency. "I
have experienced many things but nothing like that. I do not
have the words to describe this."
Pressure on Vogts, who won the 1974 World Cup as a player,
has been mounting since his team's 2-1 defeat to bottom-placed
Kazakhstan on Friday that left them with three points from five
matches in qualifying Group A.
"This is a no-go. To attack a coach is unacceptable whatever
the outcome of a match. I am surprised to hear the news,"
Germany coach Joachim Low told reporters in Vienna as the team
prepared to leave for Azerbaijan following their 2-1 win against
Austria on Friday.
"Azerbaijan may have lost against Kazakhstan but they have,
for example, won a crucial game against Turkey and that shows
their development that is strongly linked to Berti Vogts. So
this really is a surprise."
Germany lead the group with 18 points.