16 May 2008Referees 'can be influenced'

Football Clubs News | Football Referees, Players, Managers and Media

Avram Grant has questioned the integrity of the English game by suggesting that some referees may have an ulterior motive when they step onto the pitch.

According to the Chelsea manager, some Premier League referees would fail an impartiality test - and he went on to say this has worked in favour of Manchester United this season.

"In England there are some very good referees - but there are some, a few of them, you can influence," he said.

"I do not think the world is against Chelsea, or English football, but in this case there were some coincidences for Manchester United."

Grant is particularly riled by Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel's red card at Old Trafford in September, the fact that Paul Scholes got away with a lecture rather than a second yellow card in United's last league match of the season at Wigan and Rio Ferdinand's alleged handball in the penalty area in the same match.

"I believe in the tradition of the fair English game. I will not say anything against this but what happened is what I expected," Grant said.

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