Lyon midfielder Juninho Pernambucano believes there is a conspiracy against French teams involved in European competition.
Speaking after his team’s goalless draw at Roma in the UEFA Champions League, Juninho voiced his concerns at the performance of referee Mike Riley.
“I was really disappointed to see what they [referees and officials] did at the match between Lille and Manchester United,” said Juninho.
“And at Roma I saw again that French teams are of no importance in the Champions League.
“We saw it two years ago at Eindhoven [when Lyon were eliminated by PSV following the failure of the referee to award a penalty] and it has been confirmed against Roma.
“The French teams do not get the same treatment as English, Spanish or Italian teams.
“I don’t want to moan about the referee but I just had the same feeling as the one I had when I was watching Lille, and it hurts.”
