The Group F clash was called to a halt by Herbert Fandel in the 89th minute when a Danish supporter ran on to the pitch at Copenhagen's Parken stadium and aimed a punch at the German official.

The controversy began moments earlier when Sevilla midfielder Poulsen was shown a straight red card for punching Sweden striker Markus Rosenberg in the stomach.

The visitors were also awarded a penalty, but the spot-kick was never taken as the match ended in turmoil with the scores level at 3-3.

Poulsen has now asked for forgiveness for his part in the events.

"I was involved in a tussle with the Swedish player, who I felt had provoked me twice. I saw red and I hit him," said Poulsen.

"I would like to apologise to my team-mates and the general public. It's the most stupid thing I've ever done.

"(Denmark coach) Morten Olsen told me afterwards there's no place on this stage for this sort of thing and I have to agree. It happened at a time when we'd pulled back Sweden's lead and were in the driving seat. I can't condone it."

It brought a sour end to what had been an enthralling match in which Sweden had taken a 3-0 lead only for their Scandinavian rivals to stage a stunning fightback.

Johan Elmander opened the scoring after just seven minutes before Petter Hansson's 30-yard free-kick doubled the advantage.

Elmander then scored his second of the match soon after to seemingly put Sweden in the driving seat.

But Daniel Agger pulled a goal back in the 34th minute with Jon Dahl Tomasson and substitute Leon Andreasen then sealing an unprecedented comeback for the Danes in the second half.

Denmark coach Olsen, who watched the match from the stands after being sent off in the defeat to Spain in March, has now called on his players to make amends for the controversy by winning their next qualifier in Latvia on Wednesday.

"It was a black day for Danish football," Olsen said.

"I've spoken with the players who caused the affair. Christian Poulsen wasn't the only one to blame for the episode, but that doesn't excuse what Christian did.

"However, we have another match on Wednesday and then we'll show we are a team with a good mentality, like the one we saw in the second half against Sweden."