Arsenal’s Jens Lehmann has denied making an insulting gesture to fans, during Germany’s 4-0 win over Cyprus.
Lehmann insists that he was merely scratching his head with his index finger, but the home fans have reacted angrily to his supposed itch.
The veteran keeper has been quick to leap to his own defence.
"I've never done anything like that in my life," Lehmann told Fox Sports.
The contentious issue has also seen Germany's football officials defending their keeper, amid the accusations that he made an obscene gesture.
"I really have to stand up for Jens Lehmann here," German football federation president Theo Zwanziger said. "He knows there is no reason to make gestures that hurt fans. He would never want that."
The incident overshadowed an important game for Lehmann, as his position is under threat since to his demotion to second choice keeper at Arsenal.
Such is the controversy over the incident that the Germany coach Joachim Loew is expected meet with Lehmann to discuss the issue ahead of Euro 2008.
"Jens knows that it isn't so simple to start someone at a tournament who hasn't played for eight or nine months," Loew said.
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