Continental Europe shames football yet again:
1) Manchester United fans injured as they were crushed in the stands
2) Lille players storm off the field in protest at Manchester United's goal - United took the free-kick before the referee blew his whistle - but play later resumes
3) Lille fans pelt Manchester United's players with missiles
The night that French football shamed Europe
FARCE AND FURIOUS ... United's Saha confronts Lille players as they consider walking off - while an unconscious Manchester United fan is helped away after problems with a crowd barrier earlier on caused a crush amongst Manchester fans
From NEIL CUSTIS in Lens
February 21, 2007
EUROPEAN CUP - THE LAST 16
LILLE 0-1 MANCHESTER UNITED
...............Giggs 83
SIR ALEX FERGUSON branded Lille a disgrace on a night of madness in the Champions League.
Lille’s players walked off the pitch after Ryan Giggs’ 83rd-minute quick free-kick winner.
United players were pelted with missiles when play resumed and one hit Gary Neville on the head.
Reds fans trying to escape a crush had already been hurt by riot police while Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar was affected by tear-gas fired during the incident.
Fergie fumed: “It was a disgrace. I have never seen anything like it. Their players were trying to intimidate the ref and incite the fans and it created a hostile atmosphere.
“Gary Neville was struck by an object to his head and there were objects thrown at the dugout.
“It shouldn’t be allowed. UEFA have to look into this.”
Ferguson even had an angry confrontation with his own captain Neville for trying to confront the Lille players as they walked off the pitch.
The Old Trafford boss said: “To be fair to Gary, he was trying to act as peacemaker but I told him just to stay on the pitch because it wasn’t our problem.”
Ferguson also said Dutch ref Eric Braamhaar was right to let Giggs’ goal stand after allowing him to take his free-kick before Lille were ready.
ANGER ... Lille players are ordered off after Giggs (right) netted the only goal
He said: “Ryan asked if he could take it quickly and the ref gave him permission. It is allowed. I have seen it in English football many times.”
Giggs confirmed: “The referee asked did I want the whistle. I said no, put the ball down and took the opportunity to put the ball in the net.”
Lille coach Claude Puel claimed his players were not trying to abandon the match when they walked off the pitch.
He said: “I do not understand why Sir Alex Ferguson is saying anything on this matter.
“In France it is traditional to make a complaint after the first pause in the game. We did not mean to walk off the pitch.
“Alex Ferguson likes to influence referees. He enjoys trying to create a problematic situation.”
Lille facing heavy sanctions from UEFA and could even be expelled from the competition.
United spokesman Phil Townsend said: “We met after the game with UEFA officials, delegates from the FA and police to discuss the issues.
“We want to hear the accounts of supporters who may have been involved and we will then submit an official report to UEFA.”
Furious Lille skipper Gregory Tafforeau said: “When the keeper asks to place his wall, you should wait for the referee’s whistle. There was no whistle and the player shot directly . . . the result is a goal."
thesun.co.uk
***********************************************
Again, it's Continental Europeans that shame football. This comes just weeks after Italian fans killed a policeman and injured 100. These sorts of things - rioting between rival fans, players storming off the field in protest, racist chants at black players and lots of missiles being thrown at players just do not happen in English football.
No, you don't, pal. Not if you want to take a QUICK free-kick.
1) Manchester United fans injured as they were crushed in the stands
2) Lille players storm off the field in protest at Manchester United's goal - United took the free-kick before the referee blew his whistle - but play later resumes
3) Lille fans pelt Manchester United's players with missiles
The night that French football shamed Europe
FARCE AND FURIOUS ... United's Saha confronts Lille players as they consider walking off - while an unconscious Manchester United fan is helped away after problems with a crowd barrier earlier on caused a crush amongst Manchester fans
February 21, 2007
EUROPEAN CUP - THE LAST 16
LILLE 0-1 MANCHESTER UNITED
...............Giggs 83
SIR ALEX FERGUSON branded Lille a disgrace on a night of madness in the Champions League.
Lille’s players walked off the pitch after Ryan Giggs’ 83rd-minute quick free-kick winner.
United players were pelted with missiles when play resumed and one hit Gary Neville on the head.
Reds fans trying to escape a crush had already been hurt by riot police while Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar was affected by tear-gas fired during the incident.
Fergie fumed: “It was a disgrace. I have never seen anything like it. Their players were trying to intimidate the ref and incite the fans and it created a hostile atmosphere.
“Gary Neville was struck by an object to his head and there were objects thrown at the dugout.
“It shouldn’t be allowed. UEFA have to look into this.”
Ferguson even had an angry confrontation with his own captain Neville for trying to confront the Lille players as they walked off the pitch.
The Old Trafford boss said: “To be fair to Gary, he was trying to act as peacemaker but I told him just to stay on the pitch because it wasn’t our problem.”
Ferguson also said Dutch ref Eric Braamhaar was right to let Giggs’ goal stand after allowing him to take his free-kick before Lille were ready.
ANGER ... Lille players are ordered off after Giggs (right) netted the only goal
He said: “Ryan asked if he could take it quickly and the ref gave him permission. It is allowed. I have seen it in English football many times.”
Giggs confirmed: “The referee asked did I want the whistle. I said no, put the ball down and took the opportunity to put the ball in the net.”
Lille coach Claude Puel claimed his players were not trying to abandon the match when they walked off the pitch.
He said: “I do not understand why Sir Alex Ferguson is saying anything on this matter.
“In France it is traditional to make a complaint after the first pause in the game. We did not mean to walk off the pitch.
“Alex Ferguson likes to influence referees. He enjoys trying to create a problematic situation.”
Lille facing heavy sanctions from UEFA and could even be expelled from the competition.
United spokesman Phil Townsend said: “We met after the game with UEFA officials, delegates from the FA and police to discuss the issues.
“We want to hear the accounts of supporters who may have been involved and we will then submit an official report to UEFA.”
Furious Lille skipper Gregory Tafforeau said: “When the keeper asks to place his wall, you should wait for the referee’s whistle. There was no whistle and the player shot directly . . . the result is a goal."
thesun.co.uk
***********************************************
Again, it's Continental Europeans that shame football. This comes just weeks after Italian fans killed a policeman and injured 100. These sorts of things - rioting between rival fans, players storming off the field in protest, racist chants at black players and lots of missiles being thrown at players just do not happen in English football.
No, you don't, pal. Not if you want to take a QUICK free-kick.
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