Crying Frenchman suffers heartbreaking defeat

By Julien Pretot

BEIJING (Reuters) - France's Alexis Vastine could not hold back his tears after a last-minute warning for holding handed his Beijing Olympics light-welterweight semi-final to Dominican Republic's Felix Diaz on Friday.

Vastine was leading 9-6 at the start of the final round before Diaz stepped up a gear and leveled to 10-10.

However, Philippines' referee Rogelio Fortaleza gave Vastine a warning 20 seconds from the final bell, handing Diaz two points and the win by 12-10.

"It's a murder!", France head coach Dominique Nato screamed after the bout. "They make us lose an Olympic (semi) final. A referee who gives a warning in the last round is a scum."

Nato, a colorful character, is not known for criticizing refereeing and it is the first time he did so in Beijing.

The offence by Vastine did not seem obvious and by receiving the warning, his chances of winning the bout effectively ended. He will receive a bronze medal for being a losing semi-finalist.

A sobbing Vastine was still upset 10 minutes after his loss.

"I was robbed and he (the referee) was not even ashamed of what he did," the 21-year-old said.

"It was not a beautiful bout but I deserved to win. Years of work and this s----- bronze medal."

Vastine added Diaz also held him throughout the fight and had only received oral warnings.

"He warns him (orally) three, four times and he gives him nothing."

(Editing by Greg Stutchbury)