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Wenger ready to take on FA over video decisions
Arsenal manager claims blame for dodgy rulings lies with FA
ARSENE Wenger is gearing up for a ‘battle’ with the Football Association after calling for digital-technology to replace bungling officials in the English league.
After watching his side snatch a last gasp 2-1 victory against Wigan on Sunday, the Arsenal manager revealed that he believes the scope for human error is too great for the FA to ignore.
Wigan were beating the Gunners 1-0 when Mathieu Flamini appeared to bring down Emile Heskey in the penalty area. Amazingly referee Phil Dowd failed to point to the spot, saving French midfielder Flamini from a certain sending off.
To add insult to injury, Flamini was just off-side when he later set up Arsenal’s equaliser.
Wigan boss Paul Jewell blasted Dowd, claiming “a catalogue of errors” had dragged them back into the mire.
But Wenger said the blame lay with the backward FA, not referees, for mistakes. He said: “Was it offside? It is not convincing. Not at all – we are talking about a few inches. You know we conceded a goal in the Champions League final that was offside and no one complained. If you want clear decisions you cannot accuse the referee of doing right or wrong.”
Wenger has ushered a new culture of football since joining the Gunners in 1996. He brought in a new style of play and also lowered the average age of players.
And he believes now is the time for FA chiefs to blow the cobwebs off the rulebook and follow rugby, tennis and cricket into the 21st century.
Wenger said: “Until we have video assistance we will have questions after every game. It is annoying for him (Paul Jewell) because it went against him but plenty of decisions have gone against us and plenty more will as long as we don’t have video assistance.” |
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