ANYMORE FOR ANYMORE?
Last updated : 25 September 2003 By Editor
Though we’ll make an exception for Mr P. Crerand esq.
“I would have weighed straight back in, there is no danger
of that. If it had happened on a Sunday morning everybody
would have been involved so, under the circumstances, Ruud’s
behaviour was tremendous.
“You have to say the Arsenal players were a disgrace.
Something has to be done.
“For some reason, from 30 yards, Arsene couldn’t see Robert
Pires cheating when he dived for the penalty at Portsmouth.
But he could see what happened between Van Nistelrooy and
Vieira 70 yards away.”
Giggs:
“Vieira had been booked a minute or so before his sending-
off so it was just stupidity really on his part.
“Ruud had mistimed his challenge and got booked, but Vieira
kicked out at him and it does not matter whether or not you
make contact, you are going to get lots of fouls in the game
and no-one had reacted until then.
“Roy Keane got booked by referee Stephen Bennett in the
first half but for 80 minutes nothing much else happened. So
for it all to explode like that, no one could have seen it
coming.
“There was nothing to provoke Vieira.
“It wasn't exactly sportsmanlike at the end. It wasn't as if
Ruud had taken a dive for the penalty or had been fouled for
it. He just took the penalty and missed it."
A deluded Bergkamp:
“It was a big test and I believe we passed that test. We
took a lot of positive things from the game as I think we
showed that our confidence hadn't been dented by the Inter
Milan defeat.
“Unfortunately most of the focus has been on events that
happened towards the end of the game and after the match.
The media attention on all of this has been quite
unbelievable."
Gordon McQueen:
“After 90 minutes it was a terrific point for Arsenal.
Nothing had really happened and it certainly wasn't a
classic. Then it all went off, with the red card for Patrick
Vieira, the penalty and then the madness at the end.
“What Keown did jumping around in front of van Nistelrooy
like that was the sort of thing you'd only expect to see
sitting on a ghost train at a funfair. Now, with the
consequences, it suddenly looks a very costly point.
“Their behaviour was unacceptable and it's clear the FA are
going to make sure they realise it. I think they know it
already - everybody except Arsene Wenger seems to have said
so but I don't think they will be able to cope.
“Arsenal had all their defenders fit against Inter Milan
last week and still couldn't cope, so how can they expect to
cope if they're all missing?"
Tord Grip:
"The penalty was a gift, no doubt about that. I mean there
were a lot of similar situations during the game, and you
can't suddenly change the level of decision. You have to act
consistently throughout the game.
"I think that some of the English referees are discussing
too much with the players. There's no need for that. Just
book the players and let the play go on. I've got a feeling
the referees only want to show off in front of the cameras
when they know that the game is on television."
Fergie on Ruud:
“His record last season and since he came to this club is
phenomenal. There is absolutely no question that he will
take the next penalty. I never have any doubt about the man.
“Possibly missing two penalties prior to this one played on
his mind and that's why he hit it so hard.”
