Post by Taxigirl on Nov 8, 2003 9:49:26 GMT
Robert Pires has hinted that the FA disciplinary committee were influenced by the media, following the club's infamous clash with Manchester United.
The Arsenal winger, despite regretting the incident, suggested to The Sun that a £175,000 club fine and bans for Martin Keown, Lauren Patrick Vieira and Ray Parlour had come about because of outside influence on the FA.
"We just have to say sorry for all that. We also have to admit it was our own fault," said Pires.
"The whole club lament those incidents with Van Nistelrooy at the end of the game - the images which were broadcast do nothing to set an example for youngsters who watch football.
"However, the furore surrounding Keown, Parlour and Lauren never ceased - nor did the media attacks on them.
"I don't think the disciplinary commission which handed out their suspensions was left alone to make an objective decision."
Pires believes that there is a wealth of bad feeling towards Arsenal within England, and is at a loss to explain why.
"We are completely unloved in England outside our own fans and I don't know why so many people hate us.
"Why such dislike exists is something that only the English fans could explain.
"We are not loved and everything we do is always placed under a critical spotlight.
"If people in England were asked whether they preferred Arsenal or Manchester United, there would be a clear choice for them and not us.
"In general, people would love United to deny us winning the Premiership or any trophy again.
"So our attitude is to remain unaffected by this and opt for the best manner of responding to these attacks which is to do our talking on the pitch with the way we play.
"All this is doing is making us stronger, more resolute and we know nobody is willing to give us an inch on anything.
"But it brings us closer together as a team - especially if all it is about is this old English idea we are too 'international' and we don't have enough English players in our squad.
"We will not let any of this put us off our job."
