Grant risks censure after referee remarks

Bennett was in charge of Manchester United's last match of the season at Wigan on Sunday when goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Ryan Giggs clinched a 10th Premier League title for Alex Ferguson.

But the official came under fire for failing to award Wigan a penalty and then opting not to send off midfielder Paul Scholes for a second foul on Wilson Palacios.

"I can say that, after the game we won against Manchester United to get level on points, we knew that they had to play West Ham at home and Wigan away and that it was not in our hands," said Grant.

"I told you that I believed in the tradition of the fair English game. I will not say anything against it. But what happened is what I expected.

"In England, there are very good referees, but there are some - a few that you can influence, like you saw.

"I think in our game against Manchester United at Old Trafford, the referee influenced the result for sure. We know that.

"I think the red card for Mikel John Obi in that game should not have been a red card. I think that Paul Scholes should have had a red card on Sunday and Wigan a penalty also. But it is finished. I congratulate Manchester United."

But, when asked if he was pleased that an English referee would not be in charge of the Champions League final between United and Chelsea in Moscow next Wednesday night, Grant replied: "I can say it like this, 'Yes'."

Meanwhile, QPR named Iain Dowie as their new first-team coach on Wednesdayday. Dowie signed a two-year deal to replace Luigi De Canio at Loftus Road on Wednesday, leaving the former Coventry boss in charge of what some commentators suggest is the richest club in Britain.