Wenger urges Lampard to tell truth over final brawl

zocoss SG · 2007-03-03T17:36:49+00:00

england referees are really not up to standard, even Poll can made alot of errors. if tis happens forever, who know EPL might become another Italian Serie A...

zocoss SG

As a traumatic few days for Arsenal reached another low last night with elimination from the FA Cup by Blackburn Rovers, Arsène Wenger continued to rage about the fallout from Sundays acrimonious Carling Cup final defeat by Chelsea, accusing Frank Lampard, the Football Association and one of the match officials at the Millennium Stadium of failing to tell the truth.

The Arsenal manager appears certain to be hit by an FA disciplinary charge after accusing one of the match officials in Cardiff of lying by telling the FAs compliance unit that Emmanuel Adebayor had punched Lampard during the brawl that resulted in red cards for the Arsenal striker as well as Kolo Touré, his teammate, and John Obi Mikel, the Chelsea midfield player.

Wenger also claimed that Lampard, the England midfield player, had a responsibility to tell the truth about the incident to spare Adebayor from further punishment.

We lost players on Sunday for three or four games, players like Adebayor who would have played tonight, Wenger said after his team lost 1-0 at Ewood Park to Benni McCarthys spectacular 87th-minute goal.

I dont agree with the compliance committee. They have a very selective view and I dont agree with the report of the linesman on Adebayor. For me, he lies. I feel that Adebayor didnt punch anybody. When the linesman says that he did, he lies.

I would like someone to ask Lampard if he was punched by Adebayor. If Lampard says yes, then we accept it. I want him to tell the truth. But we have watched it under a microscope. And if you see Adebayor punching Lampard, I would like you to show me.

However, having had Adebayor charged by the FA on Monday with reacting aggressively and failing to leave the field of play after his red card and Emmanuel Eboué charged with violent conduct after appearing to strike Wayne Bridge, Sundays Carling Cup final defeat was still hurting him. Both players have denied the charges.

Its just a coincidence when you have 20 players in a brawl and only the Arsenal players are guilty, Wenger said. Its unbelievable. Maybe thats their [the FAs] way to do justice. Its difficult to accept.

turbo_drift SG

Hope Lampard would tell the truth..

used SG

i don think lampard is in the wrong. but i think the refs are! they refuse to admit their mistake and now are making up stories Rolling Eyes

turbo_drift SG

At least Frank Lampard should tell the truth.. Smile

CKeer SG

It takes integrity to tell the truth but for career sake, even if Adebayor didn't punch Lamps, he would not have tell the truth. Wink

Cheers.
C.K

zocoss SG

FA DEMAND WENGER EXPLANATION

Arsene Wenger has been asked to explain his latest outburst against match officials and the disciplinary procedure by the Football Association. The Gunners crashed out of the FA Cup last night at Blackburn, where manager Wenger used his post-match press conference to launch a tirade over the fallout from the mass brawl which marred Sunday's Carling Cup final.

His comments that the assistant referee who referee Howard Webb consulted before sending off Emmanuel Adebayor was a "liar" have seen the Arsenal manager once again fall foul of the game's governing body. Wenger will also be asked to explain his claim "the whole system is not honest", in reference to the disciplinary procedures of the FA.

"Questioning the integrity of a match official and accusing them of lying is a very serious claim to make as it questions the whole integrity of the game," said an FA spokesman in a statement released to PA Sport. "We also reject any accusations of bias or dishonesty within our disciplinary system. We will be asking Arsene Wenger to explain these comments."

Wenger is convinced striker Adebayor was the victim of mistaken identity over his dismissal for supposedly throwing a punch during the final at the Millennium Stadium. The Togo striker was given a straight red card just minutes after coming on as a substitute towards the end of the game after becoming embroiled in a melee which also involved Frank Lampard among others, and which was sparked by the fracas between Kolo Toure and Mikel John Obi.

The Togo striker failed with his appeal for wrongful dismissal and was further charged with reacting aggressively and failing to leave the field of play immediately after being sent off. Wenger said last night: "We know he [Adebayor] did not deserve a red card. The linesman lies when he says he [Adebayor] punched Lampard.

"What the linesman said is really lies. It is just not acceptable." The Arsenal manager also questioned why a second Arsenal player, Emmanuel Eboue, faces an FA charge of violent conduct, which is due to be heard later today, while opponents Chelsea escaped unscathed.

Wenger added: "It is just a coincidence that you have 20 men who have a brawl and only the Arsenal players were guilty. It is unbelievable but maybe they [the FA] have their own way to do justice."

Lampard has, through his agent, maintained today he was not punched by Adebayor. However, the FA moved to clarify the situation this morning. The statement continued: "Contrary to Wenger's allegations, the assistant referee's report does not claim that Adebayor punched Frank Lampard.

"The report states that Adebayor's attitude was aggressive, that he shoved into Ricardo Carvalho and that he aimed a punch at Lampard. It does not state that Adebayor struck Lampard. "Adebayor was sent off for violent conduct on Sunday. His claim for wrongful dismissal was rejected by a disciplinary commission on Tuesday."

"He was also charged with reacting aggressively and failing to leave the field of play immediately after being sent off. "He denied the charge and will have a personal hearing on Tuesday 6 March."

Referee Webb has also reviewed the whole of the incident again via video replays and from several different angles. The Yorkshire official has confirmed that, apart from the two sendings off and the subsequent charges issued, there were no other red card offences during the melee.

Gilberto, meanwhile, maintains togetherness will see Arsenal through the most testing part of their season so far. Having also seen their FA Cup hopes ended at Blackburn last night, the Gunners will return to Barclays Premiership action against Reading on Saturday when they will look to keep up the pressure on the top three, having played two less games than both Liverpool and leaders Manchester United.

Arsenal's European hopes are in the balance following a 1-0 defeat at PSV Eindhoven last week, with the return leg of the last-16 encounter at Emirates Stadium on Wednesday night. Whatever else may be happening, midfielder Gilberto knows focus on the pitch is now all that matters.

"The next few days will not be easy for us, especially because we have a few players out of the team - but we need to handle it," said the Brazilian, captain last night at Ewood Park. "We need to change our situation and start to win games again.

"We have to stick together as a group, this is an important time for everybody - the youngsters and the experienced players." Gilberto added on Arsenal TV Online: "It has been a frustrating few days with defeats in the two cup matches.

"But we all need to carry on because now we have another tough game against Reading in the Premiership at home and then next week there is the Champions League game with PSV. "We have to put our heads up, but it will be hard because we [only] have a few days to save the rest of our season."

Of the fall-out from the brawl in Cardiff, the 30-year-old said diplomatically: "At the moment, the players have made no comment about the FA decision. "When you lose a game, you need to control yourself. "It is important to keep our mental strength and not get involved."

ghimpheng SG

please la stop acting smart and assume

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=411620&cc=4716

Chelsea's Frank Lampard has responded to Arsene Wenger's plea to give his version of events during Sunday's Carling Cup final tussle with Arsenal by confirming he was not punched by Emmanuel Adebayor

Adebayor was sent-off for his part in the scuffle and was suspended from Wednesday night's FA Cup exit at Blackburn after the FA rejected his appeal about his alleged part in Sunday's clashes.

The Gunners claim Adebayor was red-carded in a case of mistaken identity and information has surfaced that one of the linesmen informed the FA that he had seen the Togolese striker punch Lampard.

'I don't agree with the FA's compliance committee,' said Wenger. 'And I don't agree with the report of the linesman because, for me, he lies. Adebayor didn't punch anybody. So when the linesman says he punches someone, he lies.'

'I would like you to ask Lampard if he was punched. And I want him to say the truth. If it is 'yes', we will accept it. But we have watched it on microscope and, if you can see Adebayor punching Lampard, I would like you to show me.'

Lampard's agent, Steve Kutner, responded by saying: 'I've spoken to Frank and he told me that he wasn't punched.'

Patrik SG

Lampard:I did not see the incident.
Laughing
He should have said this.

the Bear SG

i wonder about the youth of today and sportsmanship as a whole when people come out and say that they should withhold the truth if hiding it can win them an advantage...

i am also saddened when people use the truth in order to gain an advantage and attempt to take a moral high ground so that they can use that as a bludgeon to batter their perceived enemies (who are not enemies but are their opponents or rivals)

has results become so important that their own dignity and humanity takes a back seat?

i know if a team comes forward to and demands their players to conduct themselves beyond reproach, to not appeal for throws-ins or whatever if they know they are the last to touch the ball, to own up to the ref when they foul someone, to be a SPORTSMAN and follow the code of SPORTSMANSHIP, i would be one of the first to be a fan of that team..

until then, i see Machiavellian principles ruling over the sacred domain of Sports..

zocoss SG

EBOUE HANDED THREE-MATCH BAN

Arsenal right-back Emmanuel Eboue has been found guilty of violent conduct at a FA hearing and has been suspended for three matches.

The 23-year-old had denied a charge of striking Chelsea left-back Wayne Bridge during Sunday's Carling Cup final. Eboue will now miss Premiership fixtures against Reading on Saturday, at Aston Villa on March 14 and at Everton four days later. He is the latest player to be suspended over the stoppage-time brawl that tarnished last weekend's Millennium Stadium showpiece.

Referee Howard Webb missed the specific incident involving Eboue and Bridge but the FA used video and documentary evidence to charge and sanction the Gunners player retrospectively.

He joins team-mates Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Adebayor in serving a three-match ban for their part in Sunday's melee. They and Chelsea midfielder Mikel John Obi were all shown red cards during the game.

On Tuesday, the FA rejected the appeals of Adebayor and Mikel for wrongful dismissal. Togo striker Adebayor has also been charged with improper conduct for reacting aggressively to his sending off and failing to leave the field of play.

zocoss SG

ALLARDYCE BACKS WENGER'S DEFENCE

Bolton boss Sam Allardyce has urged any manager who feels wronged by the Football Association to fight their corner "vigorously".

Allardyce's Arsenal counterpart Arsene Wenger has this week become involved in a bitter spat with the FA over the fall-out from Sunday's Carling Cup final.

Wenger has been asked to explain comments he made about one of referee Howard Webb's assistants at the Millennium Stadium, whom he accused of lying about the sending off of striker Emmanuel Adebayor.

Allardyce insists he does not know enough of the facts to comment on that specific incident, but said: "We all have our gripes with the FA, for sure. I certainly do myself.

"I have enough [problems] of my own with the FA when the times arise. I'll stick to fighting my own corner.

"But if you think you've got something to fight the FA against then you should fight it vigorously."

used SG

why is sam getting involved in all this?? Laughing

SumOne SG

To fair to Lampard, I don't think he even knew for what reason Abedayor was given the red card. He probably found out through the press rather than during the match itself.

SumOne SG

I think he's just adding his view that FA is not beyond reproach and that clubs shouldn't let the FA push them around.

zocoss SG

Cos he has his own problems with the FA too... Mr. Green

used SG

i mean of all the people to back up wenger, it had to be someone who had a spat with him Laughing

SumOne SG

I think Sam's just being honest and objective about it. No doubt he has had his run-in's with FA as well, which means he all more is able to identify with Wenger.

zocoss SG

Arsene hit by FA 'lie' rap

ARSENE WENGERS Carling Cup final controversy took a bizarre new twist yesterday when the FA accused him of lying. Arsenal boss Wenger claimed a linesman lied to the FA by stating in his match report Emmanuel Adebayor had punched Frank Lampard to earn his red card during the 2-1 defeat to Chelsea at the Millennium Stadium on Sunday.

Angry Wenger rapped: I dont agree at all with the match report, with what the linesman said. This is a lie a complete lie. The linesman said Adebayor punched Lampard. But FA chiefs hit back yesterday, insisting the officials match reports made no reference to a punch landing on Lampard and are demanding an explanation from Wenger.

An FA statement read: The report states Adebayors attitude was aggressive, that he shoved into Ricardo Carvalho and that he aimed a punch at Lampard. It does not state that Adebayor struck Lampard. Chelsea midfielder Lampard confirmed yesterday he was not punched by Adebayor.

The FA take a dim view when the integrity of their officials is questioned. Wenger has been ordered to provide a written explanation and could be heavily fined if charged and convicted.

The Arsenal boss still faces a charge of improper conduct from a clash with referee Steve Bennett in the match against Portsmouth last December. Adebayor will have a personal hearing next Tuesday on his additional charge of improper conduct.

Arsenal are expected to vigorously deny a charge of failing to control their players during the 20-man brawl and will point out Wenger raced on to the Millennium Stadium pitch along with Jose Mourinho to try to separate warring players.

But Wenger has now become personally implicated. The mass brawl was triggered by a clash between Arsenal defender Kolo Toure and Blues midfielder Mikel John Obi. They were both sent off and banned by the FA.

CKeer SG

Ok, ok, in case people like GP, who kept having a bias view on me and United, misread and misunderstood my view.

Let me start by asking you this question: What happened to Gallas after he publicly declared that he was upset by the way Chelsea handled his contract talks and giving away his squad number to Ballack when he was then one of the longest-serving player to the club?

Do you think it's dumb to go against your manager?

Dats why i said that. For career sake, Lamps might not be even telling the truth becos who the hell knows what Mourinho will do?

Am i assuming? What did i assume? I merely said that for the sake of his career, Lamps MIGHT not come clean.

GP ar GP.. Use your brain(if not ur arse) to think before you start blabbering nonsense la... Wink

Cheers.
C.K

turbo_drift SG

C.K, must salute you..

Cheers,
turbo