Wenger fury over Adebayor punishment

12 April 2012

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger risked the further wrath of the Football Association by branding a Carling Cup final linesman a "liar" and questioning the fairness of the charges against his team.

Wenger is particularly livid against the punishment meted out to Emmanuel Adebayor, who was given a straight red card after becoming involved in a melee involving Frank Lampard and Cesc Fabregas, which was sparked by the fracas between Kolo Toure and Mikel John Obi.

"I feel Adebayor didn't punch anybody so when the linesman says he punched somebody, he lies," said Wenger of the Togo striker, whose appeal for wrongful dismissal failed.

Adebayor was further charged with reacting aggressively and failing to leave the field of play immediately after being sent off.

Wenger added: "When he says he punched Lampard, I would like you to ask Lampard if he was punched by Adebayor and I want him to say the truth.

"If it is yes we will accept it, but we have watched it on microscope and if you see Adebayor punching Lampard I would like you to show me that."

Referring to Adebayor's charge of refusing to leave the field after being red-carded, Wenger added: "If they acknowledge that he got a wrong red card they are in a bad position to punish him in a bad way because he didn't leave the pitch - because they are saying to him he was right, he was wrongly dismissed."

Wenger went on to hint at darker issues involving the pending charges against Adebayor and one of violent conduct against Emmanuel Eboue, whilst Chelsea players escaped without further charges.

Wenger added: "Is it just a coincidence that you have 20 men who have a brawl and only the Arsenal players were guilty? It is unbelievable but maybe they have their own way to do justice.

"I personally don't agree at all with the compliance committee and they have a very selective view. It is strange, just a coincidence to look at who has been charged. It is very difficult to accept. You conclude what you want."

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