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Manchester United inquest: Boot disgraceful Lille out of Europe

UEFA must act over French team's shameful behaviour - and ban the coach who encouraged a Champions League walk-off by his players.

by Matt Genner on 21 February 2007

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United celebrate Giggs' winner (gettyimages.com)

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An accomplished away performance by Manchester United has been completely overshadowed by several Lille players threatening to walk off the pitch following Ryan Giggs’s controversial late winner.

Giggs curled a free-kick into the corner, catching Lille goalkeeper Tony Sylva off guard as he was aligning the wall. Sylva was booked as he protested the decision to let the goal stand; however, things took a turn for the worse when the game restarted. Straight from the kick-off the ball was lofted out of play into the hands of a member of the Lille coaching staff, who then beckoned his players to leave the field.

After a mass touchline fracas, inevitably involving Gary Neville, the referee persuaded the players to return to the pitch. The crowd, already incensed by Peter Odemwingie’s header being disallowed for a push on Nemanja Vidic began to hurl objects onto the pitch.

After the game Sir Alex Ferguson claimed: “It's a disgrace what happened tonight - that's not football. The Lille staff encouraged them to come off the pitch and they tried to intimidate the referee. I've never seen anything like that.”

He went on to say it was the worst case of intimidation he had seen. Obviously he had forgotten Roy Keane rampaging after Andy Durso in a fashion similar to Mike Tyson hunting down an opponent. Ferguson correctly called for UEFA to take serious action.

Week after week, we see the intimidation of referees across the football spectrum, from Sunday league to international matches. This has to be a watershed. Lille should be kicked out of the Champions League for their actions and the actions of their fans. And the staff member who encouraged the players to walk off should be banned from football.

The probable punishment, a large fine and ticking off, will not be severe enough. It should present Michel Platini with the opportunity to begin his UEFA presidency by signifying a stance against the ever-worsening intimidation of referees.

What should UEFA do now? Should they throw Lille out of the Champions League? Let Sportingo have your views.

Comments (7)

by jess on February 21, 2007

lille should be

by ChrisAskey on February 21, 2007

I actually thought that the goal was brilliant. Rooney spotted the opportunity and Giggs went for it in an almost telepathic fashion. I would feel as sick as a proverbial parrot if it had happened the other way around, but it didn't. The best punishment for Lille will be their demolition at Old Trafford. I thought that the push was on Vidic.

by Matt Genner on February 21, 2007

Of course you are correct it was Vidic who was pushed, my mistake. (It was late when I wrote it)

by Greg Varkonyi on February 21, 2007

I have to admit as a fan of both english and french football I see myself as unbiased in this matter. I believe everyone in the Lille organization is right that the goal should not have stood. On the other hand I also believe their protest was clearly out of line, and deserves punishment from UEFA. Rarely touched upon in this article, but UEFA also deserves some form of punishment for allowing such a match to take place in a stadium like this after all of the recent events. Anyways the goal should not have been allowed, and with this decision the ref has put a stamp not only on this game, but onto the 2nd leg as well.

by Lindsay Pennington on February 21, 2007

Lille just proved that they are not a professional team by acting like children!! If they had a grievances with the referee and/or game, they should acted with dignity and dealt with the matter more appropriately!!! Not put on a display of childishness. Even the Lille Players did not want to be part of the shameless act that followed! Manchester United proved they are the better side in more ways than one.

by Dennis on February 21, 2007

There was a young Frenchman from Lille Who just couldn't swallow the bitter pill When Giggs quickly scored, The crowd were appalled And the home team ...