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VIEIRA REOPENS RUUD ROW
Wednesday 17th December 2003
SOURCE: Sky Sports News
http://www.skysports.com/skysports/arti ... 97,00.html
Vieira: Ruud accusation
Arsenal skipper Patrick Vieira has reignited the controversy surrounding his sending-off at Old Trafford earlier in the season by slamming Ruud van Nistelrooy for his part in the dismissal.
The French international saw red for kicking out at the Dutchman, but believes the United hit-man play-acted to get him sent off.
"I was annoyed at the way I feel he was acting," stated Vieira.
"That's what disappointed me because I have a big respect for him because he is a tremendous player.
"But I was quite disappointed in the way he acted.
"Maybe because I have so much respect for him, that's what made it worse for me, as well as the reaction after the game."
In a thinly-veiled attack on van Nistelrooy, the Senegal-born star continued: "The fact you see players who react to provocation get punished more heavily than the players who provoke incidents.
"We need to find a balance between people who are diving and pretending that they are hurt and those who get involved.
"It has been around for a long time and won't go away but we have to deal with it and not allow it to get worse for referees."
The Gunners captain did though reserve special praise for United counterpart, and long-term nemesis, Roy Keane who attempted to act as peacemaker when the trouble flared back in Spetember.
Vieira revealed the special bond of respect which exists between the two players, and admitted that Keane was a player he continued to look up to.
"He (Keane) was trying to help me," added Vieira to the Daily Mail. "He saw I was really upset and kept me out of trouble.
"He knew straight away that I didn't deserve it. He told me that it was finished and I should go off.
"I was pleased it was him. I don't think any other Man U player could have done it. That's the bond between us. It's a bond of respect.
"When I first arrived in England he was already a top player and I wanted to be like him.
"We are winners. We want to win for the team, and I think Roy is a fantastic example for me because of the way he pushes the team and the way he is for his team.
"It's not just the bond of football, I think we are quite similar people.
"For him to stop showed me the respect between the two players.
"We have had very tough games against each other but we don't forget who we are."
Vieira also revealed that he did come close to joining Real Madrid last summer before penning a new deal at Highbury, but explained his happiness with life in North London persuaded him it was right to extend his Arsenal stay.
"I thought hard and asked myself what future I saw at Real Madrid and then at Arsenal, and for me the best thing was to stay at Arsenal.
"If you leave you don't know what you'll get.
"I know I am really happy where I am."
Wednesday 17th December 2003
SOURCE: Sky Sports News
http://www.skysports.com/skysports/arti ... 97,00.html
Vieira: Ruud accusation
Arsenal skipper Patrick Vieira has reignited the controversy surrounding his sending-off at Old Trafford earlier in the season by slamming Ruud van Nistelrooy for his part in the dismissal.
The French international saw red for kicking out at the Dutchman, but believes the United hit-man play-acted to get him sent off.
"I was annoyed at the way I feel he was acting," stated Vieira.
"That's what disappointed me because I have a big respect for him because he is a tremendous player.
"But I was quite disappointed in the way he acted.
"Maybe because I have so much respect for him, that's what made it worse for me, as well as the reaction after the game."
In a thinly-veiled attack on van Nistelrooy, the Senegal-born star continued: "The fact you see players who react to provocation get punished more heavily than the players who provoke incidents.
"We need to find a balance between people who are diving and pretending that they are hurt and those who get involved.
"It has been around for a long time and won't go away but we have to deal with it and not allow it to get worse for referees."
The Gunners captain did though reserve special praise for United counterpart, and long-term nemesis, Roy Keane who attempted to act as peacemaker when the trouble flared back in Spetember.
Vieira revealed the special bond of respect which exists between the two players, and admitted that Keane was a player he continued to look up to.
"He (Keane) was trying to help me," added Vieira to the Daily Mail. "He saw I was really upset and kept me out of trouble.
"He knew straight away that I didn't deserve it. He told me that it was finished and I should go off.
"I was pleased it was him. I don't think any other Man U player could have done it. That's the bond between us. It's a bond of respect.
"When I first arrived in England he was already a top player and I wanted to be like him.
"We are winners. We want to win for the team, and I think Roy is a fantastic example for me because of the way he pushes the team and the way he is for his team.
"It's not just the bond of football, I think we are quite similar people.
"For him to stop showed me the respect between the two players.
"We have had very tough games against each other but we don't forget who we are."
Vieira also revealed that he did come close to joining Real Madrid last summer before penning a new deal at Highbury, but explained his happiness with life in North London persuaded him it was right to extend his Arsenal stay.
"I thought hard and asked myself what future I saw at Real Madrid and then at Arsenal, and for me the best thing was to stay at Arsenal.
"If you leave you don't know what you'll get.
"I know I am really happy where I am."
