Monday, May 21, 2007

JEFF WINTER has leapt to referee Steve Bennett’s defence by telling Cristiano Ronaldo: You are a cheat — not him.

Ronaldo claimed Bennett knew Giggs’ extra-time effort had crossed the line but decided not to award the goal.

Winter, in charge of United’s 2004 FA Cup Final win, said: “Ronaldo’s comments have infuriated me.Watching the television clips, Ronaldo was not even within sight of the incident. He must have wonderful eyesight because he’s saying the ball was at least half a metre over the line and the referee could see it.Ronaldo might have made those comments in the heat of the moment but what he’s basically saying is the referee’s a cheat.

“Now I’m very sorry Ronaldo. I’ve watched you play football on numerous occasions this season and Steve Bennett is not the cheat here.He didn’t see it, he made an honest decision and didn’t give the goal.

“Hindsight’s a wonderful thing.”

Winter believes that the incident supports his calls for the introduction of goal-line technology. “Referees all around the world are crying out for it.
I saw a stat that said Wembley has around 1,800 sensors to detect rats and mice. If they can come up with something like that, surely they can have a sensor to prove if a ball has gone over a goal-line.”