Ars Wenger demands Uefa apologises for Robin van Persie dismissal against Barcelona
Arsène Wenger risked antagonising Uefa further with an outspoken attack on the governing body of European football, accusing it of being a “dictatorship”.
Appealing in vain: Robin van Persie is sent off against Barcelona despite his protests Photo: AP
By Henry Winter 11:00PM GMT 10 Mar 2011
Henry's Twitter
Comments
Arsenal’s unrepentant manager called on Uefa to show “a bit more humility” and apologise for Robin van Persie’s controversial dismissal by Massimo Busacca in Barcelona.
The Swiss referee brandished a second yellow to Van Persie for kicking the ball away, although the Dutchman claimed he had not heard the whistle to stop play for an offside.
Wenger’s apoplectic reaction prompted a Uefa charge but sources indicated it would be highly unlikely to charge Wenger for the 'dictatorship' comments.
Even so, neither contrition nor circumspection could be detected in the Frenchman’s remarks on Thursday.
The lament of the sore loser never makes easy listening. In intensifying his criticism of Busacca and particularly Uefa, Wenger may genuinely be feeling persecuted.
He may also be attempting to deflect scrutiny away from a squad shell-shocked by defeats to Birmingham City and Barcelona.
An insight into his mindset came when asked whether Sir Alex Ferguson was right to order media blackouts.
“I defend Arsenal and Ferguson – don’t worry – is strong enough to defend Manchester United,” he replied. Good managers defend their dressing rooms, especially when the inhabitants are at a psychologically low ebb.
As diversionary tactics go, Wenger lobbed around some pretty spectacular verbal fireworks on Thursday.
Speaking after training at London Colney, the Frenchman was in full Edith Piaf mode, regretting nothing, with a touch of Joan of Arc martyr’s defiance thrown in for good measure.
“They do not punish me,” declared Wenger of Uefa’s charge. “It’s Arsenal Football Club that has been punished. We are out of the Champions League, we have lost one of our big ambitions, we have been punished with a lot of damages and, on top of that, we have to say sorry to Uefa.
"We have done nothing wrong. They organised the competition, they named the referees.”
Uefa can argue it named one of the best in Busacca, an official with experience of two World Cups, one European Championships, one Champions League final (2008) and one Uefa Cup final (2007). Yet his decision to dismiss Van Persie continues to chafe away at Wenger like a sharp pebble in a tight shoe.
“It is a shame the referee took the decision to send Robin off because it was the wrong decision. The first game was a fantastic advert for football and the second game has been destroyed.
"The only thing people remember is the sending-off killed the game. This decision frustrated us and frustrated everybody who loves football.
"When you have a game of that stature, you cannot come out with decisions like that and show a lot of arrogance on top. We all understand we can make wrong decisions, but after that it becomes dictatorship. It’s not any more common sense.
“I deny completely any charge. A bit more humility would do Uefa some good. To apologise for what happened would be much better than charge people who have done nothing wrong.
"Uefa has to have a little bit lower profile after what happened on Tuesday; that would be much better and more sensible.”
Uefa sources indicated it would be highly unlikely to charge Wenger for his “dictatorship” comments.
The wreckage from a bad night in Catalonia lay around Wenger, who had to confront criticism by the likes of Xavi of Arsenal’s conservative tactics.
“If I had played two full-backs on each flank in midfield you could say, ‘OK they just wanted to defend’,” countered Wenger. “But we played Rosicky, Nasri, Fabregas, Wilshere, Van Persie and Diaby. Not one defensive player.
“How can people think I said to the players, ‘just stay in our half and wait’. We had no option, they closed us down so well in the first half, that we didn’t manage to get out. Look at the speed with which we lost the ball.
“Barcelona had two shots on goal in the first half, plus the goal we gave away. Apart from that, they had a very sterile domination. We had more shots than Barcelona in the first game and we would have had shots in this game had it remained 11 v 11.”
Wenger’s belief in his squad’s ability to recover sounded unshakeable. “Overall they can gain a lot of confidence. The attitude and quality we have shown in the two games against Barcelona was outstanding offensively and defensively. Since November, I feel this team has taken off.”
Eventually he admitted that uncertainty stalked his players, that Arsenal needed victory over United in the FA Cup tomorrow for psychological as well as sporting reasons. “We need it, I must say, because we need help. We have been touched severely recently.
“We lost one competition in the last minute [Carling Cup final]. We played the super favourite of the Champions League and lost under special circumstances. We want to deal well with the two psychological blows.”
Cesc Fabregas’ hamstring injury precludes his involvement against United “and maybe for the next two games”. Wenger is looking for an “emergency keeper” on loan with Wojciech Szczesny having dislocated his finger.
Theo Walcott, Alex Song and Thomas Vermaelen are all out although Van Persie is available.
At the end of a bad week for the club, Arsenal have expressed their concern to Barcelona about the treatment of their fans in Nou Camp.
Arsenal supporters spoke of over-aggressive policing before and after the match.
sir alex ferguson, robin van persie, swiss referee, alex ferguson, low ebb, edith piaf, massimo busacca, sore loser, outspoken attack, london colney, joan of arc, diversionary tactics, henry winter, rsquo, good managers, circumspection, apoplectic, contrition, dressing rooms, apologises
No hay comentarios:
Publicar un comentario