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Wenger not 'paranoid' despite match-fixing history

Arsene Wenger had plenty of complaints during Arsenal defeat at Porto © Getty Images

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Arsene Wenger has said he believes referee Martin Hansson is "incompetent" rather than "dishonest" as he revealed he has been a victim of match-fixing in the past.

Wenger was left furious on Wednesday as his side went down to a 2-1 defeat at Porto after Hansson awarded an indirect free-kick for what the Arsenal boss believed was an accidental back-pass. Hansson then handed the ball to Porto before Arsenal had a chance to get defenders back.

That incident followed an Arsenal penalty claim as Tomas Rosicky went down in the area, and Wenger feels the official failed to do his job properly.

"I believe that he is incompetent or dishonest - but I prefer to think that he is incompetent," he said. "I always am reluctant because, when you start to think like that in my job, you become paranoid.

"I have seen much worse in my life - my own players were bought by opponents - and I didn't become paranoid."

However, the former Nancy, Monaco and Nagoya Grampus Eight coach did not give any details over the club or players concerned.

"I do not want to come out on the past," he said. "In my job, you always have reasons to become paranoid, so I do not want to go the way to think that people are not honest."

He added: "You have to trust people in our job. I just said Hansson made mistakes. He turned down our penalty appeal, a 100% appeal, and gives them a goal like that.

"A lot of things have to be clarified by UEFA about how they nominate referees for the games. They have to be more open."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.