Big clubs receive ref advantage - Man City's Patrick Vieira

Manchester City executive Patrick Vieira believes title rivals Manchester United and other big clubs benefit from key refereeing decisions at home.

His comments come two days after Fulham were denied a late penalty in the 1-0 defeat at Old Trafford.
"When United play at home they get some advantage that other teams don't get," Vieira told BBC Sport.
Man City later released a statement saying Vieira's comments had been taken out of context. 

“When United play at home they get some advantage that other teams don't get”

Patrick Vieira

Vieira said: "I think when you go to United, Madrid, Barcelona, or Milan, when the referees referee these kind of games, it's always difficult to go against these kind of teams. This is the way it is.

"It's something the teams who are used to winning get all the time, so we need to win games so we have this advantage in the future."
With eight games left, City find themselves three points behind United, but Vieira - who took up a post as football development executive at Eastlands after retiring from playing - believes they would be worthy champions.
Speaking on behalf of Football Against Hunger at the Soccerex business forum in Manchester, Vieira said: "This is our moment.
"Since the start of the season we've been the best team and played the best football. I believe the club deserves it."

However, Vieira, who has only heard about the Fulham incident and has yet to see it, also admitted that United are in pole position to claim a second successive title.

"When you are first you have the advantage, they are favourites," he said.
Vieira recently said that United's decision to bring Paul Scholes out of retirement was a sign of weakness.
In response, Sir Alex Ferguson accused City of an act of desperation when allowing Carlos Tevez to play despite going on strike.
Vieira said: "We're glad Carlos is back. The quality of these kind of players will be really important at this stage of the season.
"The issue was between him and the club. The players were really pleased to see him back.
"It's important not to lose focus, so many things can happen.
"People try to build this fire between the clubs. The heat is going to get more and more."