Source: Telegraph
Manchester United's Sir Alex Ferguson concerned over Champions League referees
Ferguson's major concern is that referees from smaller nations are being put forward for important games where their inexperience in big match situations is putting pressure on them that they are unable to manage.[LNB]On Wednesday night Norwegian Ovrebo allowed an 89th minute Miroslav Klose goal to stand despite the German being clearly offside, something that the managers of both Bayern and Fiorentina agreed on immediately after the game, as well as the player himself.[LNB] Related ArticlesWenger accuses referee of 'massive mistake'Bayern Munich 2 Fiorentina 1Porto winner 'intelligent piece of play'Ferguson: United play to Rooney's strengthsOld Trafford may have reached capacityNemanja Vidic tired of transfer talkBayern ran out 2-1 winners on a night when Ovrebo's decision making was a constant source of confusion.[LNB]Wenger was vocal in his criticism of Martin Hansson, the Swede who failed to spot Thierry Henry's blatant handball in France's World Cup play-off victory over Ireland, after he failed to award a penalty to Tomas Rosicky and appeared to assist Porto in taking a quick free kick that led to their winning goal in the 2-1 victory against Arsenal.[LNB]Hansson is set to officiate at this summer's World Cup while Ovrebo, who received criticism for his handling of last year's contentious semi-final second leg between Barcelona and Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, was left off the final 30-man Fifa list.[LNB]'I saw the highlights of the Bayern Munich match and it was an incredible decision for that winning goal … deary, deary me,' Ferguson said. 'I think maybe the lad's under a bit of pressure now because of last season.'[LNB]'Maybe it would be best if they [Uefa] gave [Ovrebo] a break. These games are so high-profile now and such intense matches. You have to be really on the ball and you really need the top referees. I watched him and he's not [the same standard as] the best Italian referee, or the best Spanish referee, who I always think are the best.[LNB]'It is hard because they [referees from smaller countries] are not used to these games. I think that the important thing is the way Uefa look at it, and of course they are right in the main, because they have to give these guys from the smaller countries the experience of having the big games. But they [Fiorentina] won't be too happy at the moment.'[LNB]The Italians certainly are not, with the country's FA's president, Giancarlo Abete, attacking the European governing body over the issue.[LNB]'Last night we all saw the wickedness that was evident and you all know what I am talking about,' he said. 'A grave error has been committed at this stage of the Champions League and it weighs heavily.[LNB]'But what worries me the most is the level of quality in the preparation of referees for such big games. The game was conditioned by the referee and his assistants, who were not up to the standard.'[LNB]
