Joachim Loew may have led Germany into the Euro 2008 semi-finals but he had to defend himself on Sunday for smoking during the quarter-final match he had to watch from the stands. ( dpa )
"What can I say? That's my personal business. I sometimes smoke a cigarette or have a glass of red wine in the evening. That is nothing outrageous," Loew told the Welt am Sonntag.
A German politician and several papers had on Friday and Saturday attacked Loew who was seen smoking in the lounge he was confined to during Germany's 3-2 victory over Portugal in Basle, Switzerland, after a UEFA ban.
Coaches and team staff are not allowed to smoke when they work on the touchline.