Source: Daily_Mail
Stoke complain to FA and Premier League over Arsene Wenger's 'rugby' jibe
Stoke manager Tony Pulis accused Arsene Wenger of being 'out of order' over the Arsenal manager's criticism of defender Ryan Shawcross.[LNB]He revealed Stoke have written an official letter of complaint to the Gunners and also sent copies to the Premier League and the Football Association.[LNB]The row surrounds Wenger's comments earlier this week accusing the Stoke centre-back of turning football into rugby.[LNB] Write caption here[LNB]The Arsenal boss was fuming with Shawcross in February after his horror tackle left Aaron Ramsey with a sickening leg break - an injury the Wales midfielder is still recovering from.[LNB]His latest attack on Shawcross came after he was incensed by what he claimed were more rough tactics from the defender during Stoke's 2-1 defeat at home to Tottenham last Saturday.[LNB]Wenger commented: 'You cannot say it is football any more. It is more rugby on the goalkeepers than football.[LNB]'When you see the way Shawcross kicked Heurelho Gomes, how RobertHuth pushed Gomes in the goal, you cannot say that is football anymore.'[LNB]Pulissaid: 'The club is desperately disappointed with the comments whichWenger has come out with, especially the comments about Shawcross. Wethink they are out of order and you don't expect it from a person ofWenger's esteem.[LNB]'The club will deal with it in the right and proper manner.'[LNB] Rough: Stoke's Ryan Shawcross broke the leg of Aaron Ramsey with a horror challenge in a game at Britannia Stadium last season[LNB]The referee in the Tottenham match, Chris Foy, was the same referee who officiated in Arsenal's match afternoon against Blackburn.[LNB]When the issue was put to Pulis he said: 'To say he was doing it as a sidetrack to influence the referee, you've said it. I've just agreed with you.'[LNB]Pulis continued: 'He's entitled to his opinion. We've fought twoworld wars to be a free country. We've all got different opinions andwe must let people say what they say. Whether you agree with it ordisagree with it, that's a different matter. [LNB]'What he said about Ryan was very, very poor and the football club will take that matter up.' [LNB]Pulis'blast follows further criticism for the Frenchman from Blackburn bossSam Allardyce, who claimed Wenger had never shared the traditionalpost-match drink with him. [LNB]However, Wenger has earned anally in Blackpool manager Ian Holloway. Speaking in The Independent onSunday, Holloway said: 'It was great to sit down with Arsene Wenger andtalk football for a few minutes after our game at Arsenal. He had aglass of wine, I had a beer and he was lovely to speak to.[LNB] Push and shove: Robert Huth and Shawcross were clearly guilty of unsettling Heurelho Gomes during Stoke's game with Spurs[LNB]'As well as being someone whom I hugely admire, he is simply a very nice man, a total gentleman. He is quietly spoken, very thoughtful and he was very complimentary about us, despite the scoreline.[LNB]'He thought that we did well and pointed out that in an hour with an extra man, his team only managed to score four.[LNB]'I think my lads were a bit shocked at the speed with which Arsenal played and particularly the pace of certain individuals, and as a group we have to improve on that. But the whole day at the Emirates was wonderful and an experience that I will always remember.'[LNB] Forget Scholes' 'dark side' - Arsenal are no angels! Fergie hits backAllardyce roughs up Arsenal, insisting Wenger had 'dirtiest team in the league'Allardyce: Wenger will never share a drink with me after the matchARSENAL FC
