Ronaldo: Referee to blame for slim first-leg lead

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Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo says poor refereeing decisions are to blame for the Red Devils only taking a 1-0 lead to the Emirates Stadium for next week’s Champions League semi-final second-leg against Arsenal. Danish referee Claus Bo Larsen denied the European Cup holders on two occasions for marginal offside decisions, with television replays suggesting that goals from both Anderson and Ryan Giggs should have counted. And the 24-year-old FIFA World Player of the Year - who saw a ferocious second-half effort crash against the crossbar - has hit out at the match officials for denying them the opportunity to plant one foot firmly in next month's Champions League final in Rome.

“Two offsides are not offside and a few fouls he didn't give. It was not his best game," he said.

"The first one Anderson was not offside and, with Giggsy, I'm not sure either.

"They are not great decisions but you have to respect the referees even if they were not brilliant and just hope they will be better at Arsenal."

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Gregg Davies
Gregg Davies

Gregg Davies is the Chief Sub Editor of FourFourTwo magazine, joining the team in January 2008 and spending seven years working on the website. He supports non-league behemoths Hereford and commentates on Bulls matches for Radio Hereford FC. His passions include chocolate hobnobs and attempting to shoehorn Ronnie Radford into any office conversation.