May 17, 2008	Saturday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 11, 1429

LONDON, May 16: Chelsea manager Avram Grant has made a stinging attack on Premier League referees, saying they helped Manchester United win the title, British newspapers reported on Thursday.

Grant, who may risk the wrath of the Football Association over his remarks, added that he was glad the referee for the Champions League final against United in Moscow next Wednesday was not English.

“In England there are very good referees, but there are some, a few that you can influence, like you saw,” Grant told reporters.

He was referring to United’s last Premier League game of the season on Sunday, a 2-0 win at Wigan Athletic which clinched the title.

“I looked at the game. (The referee) was, as expected, good for one team,” Grant added.

“I told you I believed in the tradition of the fair English game. I will not say anything against it, but what happened is what I expected.”

Chelsea went into the final round of matches level on points with United, although behind on goal difference. They needed United to drop points if they were to pip them for the title but conceded a stoppage-time equaliser in a 1-1 draw with Bolton Wanderers.—Reuters