Darren Fletcher: "Wenger’s comments starting to influence referees..."

speeds · Nov 10, 2009

http://www.express.co.uk/football/view/139352/Wenger-s-words-mean-I-m-getting-punished-says-Fletcher

In the wake of Arsenal’s 2-1 defeat by United at Old Trafford on August 29, Gunners manager Wenger left little doubt about whom he was discussing when he described United as “anti football”.

Scotland international Fletcher has grown more used to being described as United’s unsung hero after overcoming a difficult start to life in the Old Trafford spotlight and Sir Alex Ferguson rates him as a key man for the biggest of occasions.

Fletcher acknowledges that his reputation has been boosted even further by missing last season’s Champions League final defeat by Barcelona through suspension.

But having been penalised for a challenge on Ashley Cole, which led to John Terry scoring the only goal in Chelsea’s 1-0 win at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, Fletcher feels that his reputation has gone before him.

Ferguson was fiercely critical of referee Martin Atkinson after the defeat – which was United’s third on their travels so far this season – but will not be punished by the Football Association .

Ferguson was angry at the decision to award a free-kick against Fletcher, as well as Atkinson allowing Terry’s header amid claims that Wes Brown was impeded by Didier Drogba.

Fletcher, 25, admits he is concerned that he is now tainted by what Wenger said about him three months ago and feels that is partly why he was punished for what he felt was a fair challenge on Cole on Sunday.

Having worked tirelessly to establish himself at United, Fletcher is worried that all his toil will be undermined by being unfairly put into the spotlight by Wenger after a typically destructive performance against the Gunners.

He said: “I think we are now seeing Mr Wenger’s comments starting to influence referees, which is a shame .
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“Now we have to raise our game and ensure these decisions are not affecting the game. It was clearly not a foul. I knew at the time and I have watched it again on the replay. I back-heeled the ball and Cole just jumped up in the air and the ref gave a foul.”

The defeat at Stamford Bridge has left the champions five points adrift of Chelsea in the Premier League and Ferguson’s team have to wait until November 21 when they host Everton at Old Trafford for a chance to make amends.

Republic of Ireland defender John O’Shea may be facing the first leg of a titanic World Cup play-off against France on Saturday but admits that no United player can wait for the Everton game.

O’Shea believes that the pain of defeat at Stamford Bridge will trouble all of his team-mates over the next fortnight and thinks they will respond with a strong burst of form.

Having been beaten at Burnley and Liverpool and also held at home by Sunderland, United will be looking to quickly make up lost ground.

They have dropped 11 points from their opening 12 domestic games in their bid for an historic fourth straight Premier League title.

O’Shea said: “We hate losing games and we know that we now have to go on a great run. The international break comes at a bit of a bad time.

“You would prefer to have another game a few days later to help put the defeat out of your mind.

“There’s a bit of a sour taste left, but hopefully we’ll get over that.”

O’Shea was quick to echo Ferguson’s criticism of Atkinson’s decision to penalise Fletcher and then allow Terry’s goal to stand, despite that challenge from Drogba on Brown.

He added: “We didn’t think it was a foul in the first place. Fletch went in and came out with the ball.

“The referee’s angle of it and the Chelsea players’ reaction won them the free-kick and then Wes was clearly fouled by Drogba as the ball came in.

“The referee’s position was terrible – he was stood right behind one of the Chelsea players and was too far away to see it.

“Lots of decisions seemed to go against us against Chelsea on Sunday. The little things just didn’t go for us and we’re very disappointed about that.”
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In other news, Fletcher has also complained about constantly finding irritating sand in his vagina.

Colonel Ronan · Nov 10, 2009

lmao, i read this earlier. what a douche. lol @ lazy typing

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Darren Fletcher: "Wenger’s comments starting to influence referees..."

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