UEFA Champions League

Fergie blasts Lille coach:
ir Alex Ferguson has branded Lille coach Claude Puel "a disgrace" after the Frenchman tried to haul his team off the pitch during their 1-0 Champions League loss to Manchester United in Lens.

Puel was furious that Ryan Giggs' 83rd minute match-winner was allowed to stand after the Welshman fired a quick free kick into the top corner when Lille keeper Tony Silva was still lining up his wall.

The home players surrounded Dutch referee Eric Braamhaar to voice their protests and when play stopped, they were called to the touchline by goalkeeping coach Jean Noel Duse.

At that stage, it appeared Lille would try to get the game abandoned but with Ferguson calling for his own team to continue the game, common sense prevailed and both sides played on.

"I have never seen anything like that in football," said Ferguson. "I cannot understand it. It was a disgrace.

"It created a hostile atmosphere. Gary Neville was struck by an object thrown from the side of the pitch and all sorts of objects were thrown at our bench. It should not be allowed.

"I have seen a lot of bad behaviour in football. It is an emotional game. But usually everything settles down the next day. I have never seen anything like this. It creates an intimidating environment and it was wrong.

"I do not know who was responsible.

"It's not my concern. I was just wanting my players to try and score a second goal as the Lille players ran off the pitch."

Ferguson also pointed out that Giggs' strike was similar to Thierry Henry's effort against Chelsea in the Premiership a couple of years ago.

The United boss admitted the officials had not spoken to his team before the game but insisted it didn't matter.

"You look to the referee to get an indication as to whether he will allow the free-kick to be taken," said Ferguson.

"Ryan asked if he could take it; the referee moved away and that is it as far as I'm concerned."

Neville left the stadium with a gash on his face, although it is not known whether that was the result of the object thrown at him.

Edwin Van der Sar did suffer double vision as a result of the tear gas fired into the visiting section of the crowd during the opening period.

Officials from both UEFA and United will be anxious to determine the reason for the apparent crush at the front of the section which led to a disturbance that riot police tried to sort out in a most inappropriate manner.

If, as has been reported, officials took the decision to open the stand to supporters who did not have valid tickets for the area, then Europe's governing body will be forced to take action over what could have been a chilling reminder of the Hillsborough tragedy in 1989.

On that occasion 96 fans died. Here no one was hurt, although for a couple of minutes a tragedy seemed set to unfold.

Understandably perhaps, Puel was anxious to play down his own team's conduct although he did admit tempers had reached boiling point not only as a result of Giggs' goal but also an effort from Peter Odemwingie which was disallowed while the scores were still level.

"There were two dubious decisions during the game we could've well done without," said Puel.

"We had had one goal disallowed and then a free-kick like that. It was a real shame. We didn't deserve that.

"I would like to underline the fact that the players never intended to leave the field. In France, our way of expressing our complaint is when the ball next goes out of play."

Puel responded to Ferguson's attack with some critical comments of his own.

"I have heard this before from Sir Alex Ferguson because he likes to influence the referee. He is trying to create a situation.

"Of course, we are very disappointed because I would prefer to talk about football."
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I thought it was a disgrace too. In France it is our way of expressing our complaint - please! Hope they get banned.
 
And they nearly had a repeat of the Hillsborough disaster.

Disgraceful.

This goes to show once again that small teams should not be allowed into the Champions League. Lille have not won anything for 50 years!!

Time to give the CL back to the Champions, and the runners-up from each of the stronger European League. For my money the 2nd team in France would have to play-off to get to the finals.
 
LIVERPOOL vs BARCELONA

Predictions any1? :confused: me say 2-1 to Barca.. but...
liverpool somehow seem to pull up there socks against the giants!
will be great to watch!:D

woohooooo.. united 1 lille 0!!!! :D
 
Hey and we forgot Real VS Munchen!!:eek:
Looked like a good game!
 
strange nobody commented on giggs' free kick..i'm not complaining now...United won..hehe. Poor Arse. Played so well in the first half then got screwed by a very good strike by mendes.
 
derekc said:
strange nobody commented on giggs' free kick..i'm not complaining now...United won..hehe. Poor Arse. Played so well in the first half then got screwed by a very good strike by mendes.
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It's :o ing United needed to sink so low :sick: .

:p
 
derekc said:
strange nobody commented on giggs' free kick..i'm not complaining now...United won..hehe. Poor Arse. Played so well in the first half then got screwed by a very good strike by mendes.
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Lack of attention to detail by Lille, they had no one standing on the ball to prevent a quick free kick!
 
hehe...yeah well at least teammates dont beat each other up. :p

Also have to say that Lille really got it wrong regarding the management of the fans...looks like fines will be imposed on them.

It's a debatable one regarding the free kick but we've seen many of those quick free kicks taken before...Didnt Thierry do that once...cant remember though.
 
derekc said:
hehe...yeah well at least teammates dont beat each other up. :p
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At least they keep it amongst themselves and don't kung fu kick random fans :D

Whining smelly frenchies :sick: . Sore losers. Everyone knows they suffer from delusions of grandeur. :o


:D
 
The Lille team management could also be in a spot of bother when they tried to wave their players off!!
 
fivelza said:
The Lille team management could also be in a spot of bother when they tried to wave their players off!!
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Absolute disgrace if you ask me. Can you imagine any big team doing something like that just cos they aren't happy with a decision??

I have never seen anything like this in my life, and i have watched a lot of footy.
 
apparently they just wanted to talk to the 4th official...nothing sinister in that...french whine is always the best!
 
derekc said:
apparently they just wanted to talk to the 4th official...nothing sinister in that...french whine is always the best!
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Oh so the hand gesture to the players waving them off was actually a gesture to the 4th official to come here...LOL...wonder why the players decided to trot off :D
 
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