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Ferguson labelled a sore loser by Bayern

Sir Alex Ferguson lacked grace in his post-match interview © Getty Images

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Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness has criticised Sir Alex Ferguson for his 'typical Germans' remark following Manchester United's Champions League exit.

After United were beaten on away goals at Old Trafford on Wednesday, Ferguson accused the Bayern players of pressuring the referee to issue a second yellow card to Rafael.

Ferguson felt that United were in complete control of the game before the dismissal but, after United scored twice in the dying moments to take the Champions League at Camp Nou in 1999, Hoeness has told Ferguson to show more grace in defeat.

"We lost in 1999 but we lost like gentlemen," he said. "Now United should do the same. It's an overreaction on his part maybe because he was disappointed to lose.

"Normally he is a fine gentleman but I think what he has said is not right. We were honest and cool in Barcelona and they should be the same."

Hoeness also went on to say that he thought the releatively poor showing by English teams in the Champions League, it is the first time in seven years that no Premier League side has reached the semi-finals, is set to continue.

"I think English teams will now find it more difficult more often to succeed in the Champions League because the financial crisis will lead to a situation where English football will not play the same role as before," Hoeness said.

"If you build all of your success on debt, I think it is not OK. In Germany, you simply do not get a licence to operate if you lose too much money in your own league. I am not talking specifically about Manchester United, but many of the English clubs have built themselves up on debt and that, for me, is not correct."

Bayern winger Arjen Robben, who scored what proved to be the decisive goal against United, also questioned Ferguson's comments.

"I can understand the reaction from Ferguson but he is wrong," he said in the Sun. "We did not put pressure on the ref to send off the player - it was just the right decision by him.

"I think more United players should have been booked. In football, you don't always get what you deserve, but in this game we showed enormous resilience.

"It's not easy to come back from 3-0 down against United but over 180 minutes we deserved the result."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.