Grant questions Bennett's integrity
Avram Grant has risked the wrath of both The FA and Sir Alex Ferguson by hinting referees in England can be influenced - andtheir decisions helped United to the title. Grant was fuming at the performance of referee Steve Bennett in the final game of the season between Wigan and Manchester United when the championship was won.
And he is still angry about a controversial match at Old Trafford way back in September 2007 when United, aided by some dubious decisions from Mike Dean, beat his Chelsea side 2-0.
Fergie's men also won 2-0 at Wigan on Sunday in a game where the home side were denied a clear penalty and Paul Scholes somehow escaped a red card.
When asked what Grant thought of Bennett's performance he said: "He was as expected. Good for one team."
And when pressed to say more he was clearly unhappy. He said: "I can say that after the game we won against Manchester United to get level on points, we knew that United had to play West Ham at home and Wigan away and that it was not in our hands.
"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 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.
"In this case there were some co-incidences. But I congratulate them again."
Grant's comments are certain to infuriate United boss Sir Alex Ferguson and could also land him in hot water with the FA.
And when asked if he was pleased that an English referee would not be in charge of the Champions League Final against United in Moscow, Grant replied: "I can say it like this, 'yes'."
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