England defender Sol Campbell has hit out at referee Urs Meier for wiping out his goal in their Euro 2004 exit at the hands of hosts Portugal. Campbell saw replays of his controversially disallowed goal for the first time on BBC One's Breakfast With Frost programme.
The England defender said: "I believe if it was the other way round it would have been a goal to the Portuguese.
"Having seen it now, I'm even more convinced that it was a goal."
Campbell revealed that the memory of England's exit will haunt him for some time to come.
He said: "The feeling is still with me now.
"The worst moment for me wasn't Darius's or David's miss in the penalty shoot-out, it was that goal being disallowed because it shouldn't have gone as far as a penalty shoot-out. "You watch the games and see other teams going through to the semi finals and you wish you were there.
"It was an opportunity to get to the final and win something for your country.
"Most players don't like penalty shoot-outs but you have to finish it on the day, especially in tournaments, you can't keep playing."
A series of towering performance saw Campbell emerge from England's campaign with his reputation enhanced.
The Arsenal defender admitted his disappointment was heightened by the fact he was in prime condition.
Campbell, who will be 31 when the 2006 World Cup finals in Germany comes round, said: "I was in a good space for this tournament, I wanted to do something special. "I'm coming of age and at the right performance level. I was ready this time, mentally and physically. I knew myself.
"I really wanted to win the tournament. Not getting to the semi-final and having the opportunity to win something for your country is a big blow."
Campbell also gave his backing to England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson, whose tactics are coming under scrutiny.
He said: "I think Sven has been fantastic. He's been really relaxed in his approach to the tournament with our families around.
"It didn't seem like a working environment, it was a nice happy balance of work, rest and play.
"As a manager, Sven has been there, seen it and done it. He's won leagues all over Europe and I think he's a great manager."
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