EX-ARSENAL keeper Jens Lehmann claims English players like Chelsea legend John Terry were “allowed to swear” at referees – whereas if he did the same they’d warn him a red card would follow if he repeated it.
Lehmann also confirmed the “mutual hatred” between his Gunners‘ side and biggest rivals Manchester United, notably with unsavoury Pizza-gate.
And the former Germany stay, 51, was just as outspoken in questioned the Arsenal set-up behind current Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta.
Lehmann told the All To Play For podcast, by bookmaker Coral and Joe Media, he loved the way verbal insults flew freely out in the middle in English football.
But he suggested domestic players got away with much more when it came to verbal exchanges with refs.
He said: “What I liked as a German, on the pitch, there were insults being exchanged and all kinds of altercations and nobody got suspended.
“English players were allowed to swear at the referee and got away which much more than I did.
“John Terry did it all the time. If I swore, the referee would say, if you do that again, I will send you off.”
And Lehmann did not hold back on the “Battle of the Buffet” at Old Trafford in October 2004.
That was the flare-up 17 years ago in which home boss Alex Ferguson had pizza thrown at him after United’s 2-0 win ended Arsenal’s 49-game unbeaten Premier League run 17 years ago.
Lehmann said: “It was only until I stood in the tunnel before the game that I understood how deep (the rivalry) it was.
“Nobody would speak to each other. There was real hatred in the United players’ eyes.”
The Gunners believed Wayne Rooney dived to win Ruud van Nistelrooy’s penalty opener.
Rooney then added the second goal and RVN was banned for three games following a foul on Ashley Cole that ref Mike Riley missed.
Lehmann added: “Lots of people behaved badly that day on both teams.
“What really surprised me, the referee saw it all and didn’t book anybody. In Germany you would have seen red cards.”
Now Lehmann is more concerned about Arsenal’s structure off the field.
He said: “I think Mikel Arteta is a good coach but it seems to be a lot about him. I am not sure there is the right blend at the club.
“When I was there, David Dein worked incredibly well with Arsene Wenger on the administration side of the club. Now, it is very different. You don’t even know who is in charge there and who is making the decisions.
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“I was there as a coach in Arsene’s final year and he was criticised and told it was time to leave. Things were much better in that final year than they are now.
“As a former player, I want the club to do well so it is hard to see them struggling as they are doing.”
- All To Play For can be found on all podcast platforms, including Spotify, iTunes and Amazon Music with a new episode each Thursday.
