HOSTILITY AND MISSILES

Last updated : 21 February 2007 By Ed
Ferguson on the goal:

"Ryan asked if he could take it quickly and the ref gave him permission. It is allowed. I have seen it in English football many times."

Giggs confirmed: "The referee asked did I want the whistle. I said no, put the ball down and took the opportunity to put the ball in the net."

SAF's reaction to Giggs' goal:

"I've never seen that. It was complete intimidation of the referee.

"UEFA have got to do something. The Lille coaching staff intimidated the referee and it created a hostile atmosphere.

"UEFA will come down strongly - I was worried because there were missiles being thrown and Gary Neville was hit."

"I think I have seen bad behaviour in football. It's an emotional game, but I have not seen that before."

Obviously the French side have their excuses with Lille coach Claude Puel saying:

"I would like to underline that my players never intended to cause trouble,"

"I do not understand why Sir Alex Ferguson is saying anything on this matter.

"In France it is traditional to make a complaint after the first pause in the game. We did not mean to walk off the pitch.

"Alex Ferguson likes to influence referees. He enjoys trying to create a problematic situation."

"It's incomprehensible. We wanted to place the reserves (substitutes), of course the referee didn't want to," Puel told French television.

"He didn't find a delegate (official) either on the bench."

He also didn't agree with the referee's decision for the disallowed goal: "The defender is beaten, he's touched a bit and plays for the foul.

"We played a great second half and shook up this great team. We had the better chances.

"I'm proud of my players. They showed we're not here by chance."

Lille captain Gregory Tafforeau:

"When the goalkeeper asks to place his wall, you should wait for the referee's whistle.

"There was no whistle at all and the player shot directly. The result is (a) goal."