Chelsea manager Avram Grant has risked the wrath
of the Football Association by questioning the integrity of referee
Steve Bennett.
Bennett was in charge of Manchester United's last match of
the season at Wigan on Sunday where goals from Cristiano Ronaldo
and Ryan Giggs clinched a 10th Premier League title for Sir Alex
Ferguson.
But the official came under fire for failing to award Wigan a
penalty and then opting not to send off midfielder Paul Scholes for
a second foul on Wilson Palacios.
Although the Chelsea boss continued to congratulate United on
their title success, he called Bennett's integrity into question
and said he was happy no English referee would be in charge of next
week's Champions League final against Ferguson's side.
"I can say that after the game we won against Manchester United
to get level on points, we knew that they had to play West Ham at
home and Wigan away and that it was not in our hands," said
Grant.
"I told you that I believed in the tradition of the fair English
game. I will not say anything against it. But what happened is what
I expected.
"In England there are very good referees, but there are some - a
few that you can influence, like you saw.
"I think in our game against Manchester United at Old Trafford,
the referee (Mike Dean) influenced the result for sure. We know
that.
"I think the red card for Mikel John Obi in that game should not
have been a red card, I think that Paul Scholes should have had a
red card on Sunday and Wigan a penalty also. But it is finished. I
congratulate Manchester United."
But when asked if he was pleased an English referee would not be
in charge of the final in Moscow, Grant replied: "I can say it like
this, 'Yes'."
