Source: Telegraph
Porto v Arsenal: referee Martin Hansson right to allow Falcao goal, says Jesualdo Ferreira
Porto won 2-1 on the night, a comical own goal by Arsenal keeper Lukasz Fabianski gifting them the first and then a simple tap in from Falcao confirming victory. [LNB]However, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was livid that referee Martin Hansson penalised Fabianski for handling the ball in the build-up to Porto's second, after it had been "accidentally" played back by Sol Campbell. [LNB] Related ArticlesWenger finds his own medicine hard to swallowWenger accuses referee of 'massive mistake'FC Porto 2 Arsenal 1Debate: Who was at fault for Porto's winner?Wenger must act to end goalkeeping crisisPorto v Arsenal: as it happenedWas Fabianski to blame for Porto's winner? Have your say... [LNB]Fabianski picked up what was deemed a back-pass from the former Arsenal captain, with Hansson - the Swede who missed Thierry Henry's infamous handball in France's World Cup play-off against the Republic of Ireland - allowing the resulting indirect free-kick to be taken quickly as Falcao swept the ball into the net. [LNB]Wenger and Hansson had a heated discussion on the sidelines after the goal was awarded and, in the Champions League port-match interviews, the Frenchman could still not fathom why the second Porto goal was allowed to stand. [LNB]He said: "The back-pass was accidental. The ball hit Sol. It was not on purpose and it has to be intentional to be a free-kick. [LNB]"It is difficult to understand how the referee can interpret that. Then, on an indirect free-kick, if you allow the team to play quickly, just five metres from the goal, how can you defend that? [LNB]"It is better than a penalty. It was unbelievable that he allowed Porto to play straight away and push the ball into the net."[LNB]Ferreira, though, believes Wenger has a short memory, pointing out that Arsenal have taken similar quick free-kicks in the past. [LNB]"It was a legal goal," said Ferreira. "It's a situation where coaches don't know if they want to slap their own players or take it out on the referee. But it was a piece of play born from the intelligence of the Porto players. [LNB]"Wenger is angry but Thierry Henry scored a similar goal when he was playing for Arsenal. The goal came from our intelligence and gives us a definite advantage. [LNB]"We played a very good game and proved our quality, which was the main objective. The quality of the team is a source of satisfaction and shows that we are only going to get better." [LNB]
