Duncan's got a friend in Savage

By Chris Kirwan
March 29 2003

Robbie Savage is the latest name to chip in with their pearls of wisdom about Alan Wiley's actions at Highbury, by declaring his support for Big Dunc.

The Welshman, who as far as i can remember is the only player to face FA action for 'dropping the kids off at the pool' in the ref's toilet, stated that he believes that certain players are singled-out by refs. Savage stated:

“I really was surprised at Alan Wiley’s alleged remark during the Arsenal v Everton game. Apparently he’s been caught on video telling his assistant to ‘keep an eye on him’ as Duncan Ferguson came on as a sub.

“Surely that’s not on and it shows, just as I have always said, referees are human and can take a particular view of a player.

“If you are Robbie Savage, Roy Keane, Patrick Vieira or Duncan Ferguson you may not be treated the same way when making a tackle as other players.”

The Blues wrote a "strongly worded letter" to chief ref Phillip Don but i doubt that much will come of it. Refs are like 'keepers in that they have their own little club in which they refuse to criticise each other.

The incident has already prompted Clive Thomas to leap to Wiley defence. Thomas being the referee who made his name by several shocking decisions, including being a Kopite and blowing up for full time as Brazil's potential winner was on it's way to the net in the '78 World Cup. Parallel to Jamie Theakson leaping to Angus Deayton's defence.