THE Football Association has written to Chelsea coach Avram Grant to ask him to explain his remarks about referee Steve Bennett.
Grant called Bennett's integrity into question after Manchester United's 2-0 win at Wigan last Sunday earned a tenth Premier League title for Sir Alex Ferguson.
Chelsea, level on points with United before kick-off, could only draw at home with
Bolton.
But Bennett came under fire for not awarding the home side a penalty for handball and then opting not to send off Paul Scholes for a second bookable offence when he fouled Wilson Palacios.
At his Champions League media conference on Wednesday Grant said: "I told you that I believed in the tradition of the fair English game. I will not say anything against it. But what happened is what I expected.
"In England there are very good referees, but there are some – a few that you can influence, like you saw.
"I think in our game against Manchester United at Old Trafford, the referee (Mike Dean) influenced the result for sure. We know that.
"I think the red card for Mikel John Obi in that game should not have been a red card, I think that Paul Scholes should have had a red card on Sunday and Wigan a penalty also. But it is finished. I congratulate Manchester United."
Grant has until 28 May to reply.
Meanwhile, Joe Cole maintains that Grant is the right man to drive Chelsea on towards both European and domestic glory.
The Israeli coach – who took over from fans' favourite Jose Mourinho in September last year – continues to face speculation over his future despite pressing United to the last game in the race for the title and also guiding the west London club into their first European Cup final.
However, the 52-year-old – who has a strong relationship with Russian owner Roman Abramovich – insists he will be in charge at the start of next season, and midfielder Cole firmly believes Chelsea have the perfect blend for continued success.
"It is part and parcel of being a manager or a footballer – there is always someone ready to have a pop at you," said the England international.
"I don't pay any attention to what those people think of me, and I am sure Avram doesn't either. He has got broad shoulders."
Cole, 26, continued: "There are people who will say if you win one game you are a God, and if you lose one game then you are the biggest duffer to have ever played football.
"If you look back at it, with all that has happened here, you have to say the club is going in the right direction.
"But we are not too interested in plaudits – you want trophies.
"If we were to win in Moscow, then we would be going full speed ahead again."
The full article contains 482 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
