Scotland's Darren Fletcher believes a clash of cultures with the Spanish officials did his side no favours in Saturday's 2-1 defeat by Italy.Scotland were punished for 29 fouls before their Euro 2008 dream was ended by Christian Panucci's injury-time header.

The free-kick that led to the Roma full-back's goal was the most controversial award of the game but Fletcher felt the Scots had been harshly punished throughout as they embarked on their usual pressing game.

And he thought UEFA's late change of heart to appoint the Spanish officials, led by whistler Manuel Gonzalez, had caused problems for Alex McLeish's men.

The Manchester United player said: "First of all we heard he (the referee) was going to be German, then we heard he was going to be Norwegian and then finally he was Spanish, so we were shocked.

"The Spanish and Italian games are quite similar and maybe our energy and the way we close down is seen as over-aggressive, and we gave away a lot of fouls.

"But we are used to this in Europe and it's part of the game.

"It's disappointing but sometimes our style of play doesn't get rewarded by the referee."

Fletcher was baffled by the decision to award the crucial late free-kick in favour of the visitors.

Alan Hutton was barged off the ball by Italy substitute Giorgio Chiellini near the corner flag but assistant referee Juan Carlos Jiminez flagged Italy's way as he watched from a few yards away.

"We have got the ball and the lad has run into our player," Fletcher said.

"There were a lot of raised eyebrows at that time, and Gary Naysmith was fouled just before that as well and the referee didn't give it."

Panucci's header secured Italy's place and also sent France into the finals in Austria and Switzerland.

A draw at Hampden would have given Scotland hope of going through if the French had lost in Ukraine on Wednesday, and Fletcher feels that was the least they deserved.

But he is already looking ahead to Sunday's 2010 World Cup qualifying draw with optimism after pushing both of the previous tournament's finalists all the way in European Championship Group B.

"It was a game we gave our all and felt we deserved more from," the 23-year-old said. "We have not qualified and it is bitter disappointment.

"But after a few days I think people will look back and realise that, once the World Cup draw is made, we will be able to take great confidence going into that."

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