Lens focus in on `cheating'

Controversy surrounded the end of Arsenal's attempt to become champions of Europe, with Lens coach Daniel Leclercq accusing them of "cheating" and Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger claiming his side were beaten by an offside goal.

Leclercq blamed Lee Dixon for Tony Vairelles's sending off in the dying seconds, clearly believing the full back had been play-acting when he went to the ground apparently injured after the two players had tussled.

"Dixon came up behind Vairelles and pushed him to the ground," Leclercq said. "Thanks to his experience he got Vairelles sent off. It was not fair play."

Leclercq was further angered by Arsenal's failure to throw the ball back to his side in the first half after a Lens player had kicked it out so that a team-mate could receive treatment. "Cheating is what that is called in France," he said.

A downbeat Wenger blamed bad luck for his team's exit. "It is sad to lose a game of such importance to an offside goal. But I don't think we have been too weak in the group; we have had nearly everything go against us in every game."

Wenger admitted that he had to "do something" about signing new players, but insisted that he was not in a "desperate situation" just yet.