Chelsea Manager Avram Grant gives unusual post-match news conference after
Chelsea 1-0 victory over Everton.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (APRIL 17 2008) ITN -
British newspapers took the unusual step on Friday (April 18) of
publishing a verbatim transcript of Avram Grant's quizzical post-match press
conference following Chelsea's 1-0 win at Everton on Thursday (April 17).
Grant gave a series of abrupt answers to the media after his team's
win, saying that he did not know whether Chelsea were still in the title race
or not, even though their win brought them to within two points of Manchester
United with three matches to play. United have four matches left and visit
Chelsea on April 26.
Grant gave long answers during an interview with a radio station
earlier but gave short, quizzical answers to newspaper reporters later.
Asked what pleased him about the performance he replied, after a long
pause: "What, sorry?"
The question was repeated to him and he answered: "I honestly
don't know."
Other answers were "yes" or "no". At one point he
answered: "Sorry, no, now I am thinking about something else."
Grant came under intense pressure from the media after Chelsea were
held to a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge by Wigan Athletic on Monday night, a
result that dented their title hopes.
It was understood that Chelsea were also angry because the match was
rescheduled for Thursday so that TV rights-holder Sky Sports could show the
match live.
Asked if his attitude in the press conference was a protest against the
newspapers he replied: "No why? I think I answer every question, maybe
you don't know why."
The conference ended shortly after he had answered: "I'm sorry,
you can write whatever you want; I can answer whatever I want."
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