Germany considered withdrawing from the World Cup, it emerged last night, as Chancellor Helmut Kohl condemned as a national disgrace the violence by German hooligans that left a French policeman near death.

Amid renewed fears that the World Cup is being overrun by a wave of hooliganism, FIFA revealed that it had turned down an informal offer from a German official to withdraw after the rioting which followed the team's 2-2 draw with Yugoslavia in Lens on Sunday.

Hospital authorities in Lille, northern France, said the injured French officer, Daniel Nivel, a 44-year-old father of two, was unlikely to survive. He was struck repeatedly with an iron bar. Still in a deep coma yesterday, his condition was described as "very, very critical". A 27-yearold known hooligan from Hanover is being held in connection with the attack. Police believe up to 50 fans could have been involved.

Urging the French authorities to punish those responsible as swiftly and severely as possible, Chancellor Kohl said the attack "could not be condemned strongly enough. It's an absolute disgrace for our country".

The president of the German football federation, Egidius Braun, said Sunday was the darkest day of his life. He had considered withdrawing from the tournament. "This was not hooliganism but terrorism." In Paris, German officials called the hooligans "declared enemies of society", while German coach Berti Vogts said he would "rather have lost to Yugoslavia if it could have meant saving this policeman from his injuries".

As football's governing body held an emergency meeting in Paris to discuss the violence which has marred the tournament, FIFA president Sepp Blatter said he had been approached by a German official who had asked whether it would help to withdraw. "We said no. Football and sport are stronger than hooliganism and violence. We must stay here and play the games and see it through."