Chelsea boss Grant facing FA rap over his claim that referees 'helped' United clinch title because officials 'are good for one team'

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The Chelsea manager could now be charged with misconduct after he questioned Bennett's integrity following his display in United's match at Wigan on Sunday.

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Backing off: Mike Dean is surrounded by a crowd of heckling Chelsea players

United won 2-0 to ensure they beat Chelsea to the title by two points, but Grant was angry because Bennett failed to give Wigan a penalty when Rio Ferdinand handled in the area or show Paul Scholes a second yellow after he fouled Wilson Palacios.

Grant chose yesterday's official press conference previewing Chelsea's Champions League Final match against United in Moscow next week to make his feelings known.

He said: "The referee? He was, as expected, good for one team. I think in England there are some very good referees.

"But there are some — a few of them — you can influence, like you saw."

Grant also claimed Dean, who was in charge of Chelsea's 2-0 defeat to United in Grant's first game in charge in September, was wrong to send off John Obi Mikel. The FA will also study a video recording of Grant's comments, although it is understood the Israeli's guilt is not considered clear cut at this stage.

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Avram Grant has claimed that referees Steve Bennett and Mike Dean helped Manchester United win the title

Sir Alex Ferguson today insisted that he would not allow the Chelsea manager's mind games to disrupt his plans for next week's final. Grant's remarks had come as no surprise to Ferguson, who said: "I could go on and on myself.

"We feel we didn't get any decisions during the season.

"Maybe, when we went to Chelsea we should have been champions by then."

Meanwhile, Didier Drogba has told Grant he must play him up front with Nicolas Anelka if Chelsea are to beat United.

The Blues boss favours the 4-3-3 formation used by Jose Mourinho with Drogba playing up front on his own. But Drogba believes he should be paired with Anelka in Wednesday's Champions League Final with United.

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Under attack: referee Steve Bennett has been criticised by helsea boss Avram Grant

He said: "I have a lot of admiration and respect for Nicolas. He came to England very young and had to prove himself in a very demanding League.

"I'm a bit disappointed we've not been able to play together all that often since he arrived in January.

"But given the chance we can do a lot of damage to defences. Hopefully that will be the case against United."