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Moyes wants line drawn under Cesc bribe affair

Cesc Fabregas was not happy with referee Lee Mason on Tuesday © PA Photos

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David Moyes says Cesc Fabregas questioned Everton's integrity by accusing the officials of accepting bribes during the sides' meeting at Emirates Stadium, but does not want the Arsenal captain to be punished by the Football Association.

Moyes said after Everton's 2-1 defeat that Fabregas should have been sent off for his "disgusting" comments towards the officials at half time, although he then refused to elaborate on the content of his remarks. Two national newspapers, though, quoted a source this week claiming Fabregas had accused the officials of being paid off.

Arsene Wenger hit out at Moyes for the comments, saying he felt there was a witch-hunt against Fabregas and that the Everton manager had broken an "unwritten rule" by making comments from the tunnel public. But Moyes feels it was Fabregas who stepped out of line with his comments.

"I know what was said," Moyes said. "I was there when it was said and we heard it. I think Arsene said there was an unwritten rule that you don't say things that are in the tunnel, but their player broke the unwritten rule. He questioned Everton Football Club, that we may be paying officials. By doing that he questioned the officials and that they may be in turn taking money."

Moyes claims there was no anger in Fabregas' voice. "What I've got to say is Cesc never swore once, he was very calm and calculated - it wasn't a rant or a rave like I have heard people say it was," the Everton manager said. "It was just straight to the point and I felt it was out of order and deserved a sending off."

The FA has taken no action against Fabregas and Moyes wants a line drawn under the affair.

He said: "There is no way do I want Cesc Fabregas or Arsenal done by the FA, not at all. If the FA come asking I will say I am not interested. If Cesc had got sent off at half time it would have given us a better chance of winning the game, but the game is gone now.

"But to question Everton's integrity, to question David Moyes' integrity and to actually say that you think David Moyes did not see it or hear it. I saw it, I heard it, I was standing there. It was aimed at the fourth official, the fourth official is part of the referee team. If I had shouted at the fourth official on the side of the pitch, if I had swore - which I have done in the past and I am not proud of. I have shouted at them, but I would not have said what he said."

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