by ashton287 » Wed Mar 28, 2012 6:41 pm
Referees are guilty of favouring Manchester United at Old Trafford, according to Patrick Vieira.
Manchester City executive Vieira made the claim following Michael Oliver's failure to award Fulham a penalty during Monday's 1-0 defeat to United - a decision which even Sir Alex Ferguson admitted was wrong.
That victory put United three points clear of City with eight games remaining, and Vieira told BBC Sport: "When United play at home they get some advantage that other teams don't get.
"I think when you go to United, Madrid, Barcelona, or Milan, when the referees referee these kind of games, it's always difficult to go against these kind of teams. This is the way it is.
"It's something the teams who are used to winning get all the time, so we need to win games so we have this advantage in the future."
Vieira, who was rarely on good terms with United during his nine years as an Arsenal player, has already raised Ferguson's hackles during the run-in by questioning the decision to bring Paul Scholes out of retirement.
And the Frenchman reckons City would be more deserving title winners than their rivals. He said: "This is our moment. Since the start of the season we've been the best team."
However, United defender Rio Ferdinand slammed the football administrator and Tweeted: "Why is Vieira (sic) so concerned with Man Utd....2 comments in a week or so....c'mon maaaaaan let it go!"
I love big paddy. Doesn't bend over for anyone. Probably the only person in English football man enough to call bullshit on the scum.