Osaze Odemwingie
LILLE’S Nigerian striker Osaze Odemwingie started a fresh Champions League war of words with Alex Ferguson ahead of Wednesday’s match at Old Trafford. The French side is still fuming at Ryan Giggs’ quick free-kick in the first leg a fortnight ago.
And Osaze blasted: “United should be ashamed. “They won by a cheap route. The free-kick was simply cheap behaviour on their part. “If it had happened the other way round I wouldn’t be happy because it was illegal. “We were heartbroken. It wasn’t a good goal.”
Ferguson said Lille’s behaviour in the last-16 first leg - and since that clash a fortnight ago - was a ‘disgrace’ and ‘beggars belief’. He also blasted the French side for accusing his players of cheating and went as far as accusing Lille of stoking things up for Wednesday’s return leg.
The United gaffer said: “Our opponents have turned this match into something that goes beyond normal rivalry. “They have virtually accused us of cheating by taking a quick free-kick - despite the fact that, around the field, their players took similarly speedy action on a number of occasions. “The bottom line is Ryan Giggs showed great presence of mind while their team were caught napping - and that’s not cheating.
“I believe they should be looking at themselves rather than blaming us. “I’m sure that, when the dust has settled, Lille’s attempt to get their players to walk off in protest will worry their coach for a long time. “It should - because I’ve never seen anything like it. “And then to appeal against the UEFA findings that the goal should stand beggars belief and just pours more fuel on what is already an inflammatory situation.”
Amazingly, Osaze claims Lille would never have boycotted the game. He said: “It’s sad United saw it that way. We were not going to walk off. “In France, once there’s an unacceptable decision the captain normally goes to the touchline - knowing the referee will include it in the match report. “Maybe they assumed that other players joining in were walking off but that’s not the case.”
