Henry and Wenger blame referee

The Editor — Thu, May 18th 2006

English if they'd won, French since they lost

The post match interviews with Arsene Wenger and Thierry Henry left a sour taste in the mouth after both men complained about the performance of the referee.

While Terje Hauge undoubtedly had a patchy game, it is unfair to present it as bias towards Barcelona - Arsenal were favoured equally through the game from wrong decisions. Arsenal’s goal from Campbell followed from a free kick from blatant dive, and a different official could easily have red-carded Eboue dangerously high tackle on Van Bronkhurst.

While it was always going to be difficult to play a team of Barcelona’s quality with 10 men, which would Arsenal have preferred? Being 1-nil ahead at half time with 10 men, or being 1-nil down with 11? Barcelona have too much quality to be given a lead, and I think Wenger would have taken the half time position Arsenal found themselves in.

Listed in: Competitions, Champions League, Teams, Arsenal

Comments

I do not think Thierry and Wenger are looking on both sides of the coin.The decision that the referee took affected both sides not just the Arsenal side.Barcelona are not complaining only because they won the European championship but otherwise they were disadvantaged though the referee’s decision had been in their favour because they were deprived of a crucial goal. Arsenal caused the fire and Barcelona.

The Fan