LMA ´astonished´ by Platini attack on Wenger

England's League Managers' Association (LMA) said Wednesday it was “astonished and dismayed” by the recent verbal attacks on Arsene Wenger by UEFA president Michel Platini.

In an interview with the French daily newspaper the Dauphine Libere, former France captain Platini criticised his compatriot for having a business rather than a football mentality.

The head of European football's governing body also attacked the Arsenal manager for calling for the introduction of video replays to rule on questionable refereeing decisions.

Later in the interview, Platini again targeted Wenger when asked about his thoughts on Romanian side CFR Cluj's unexpected victory over Roma in the Champions League last week.

“That is what makes football so great,” Platini said. “It is what people like Wenger do not want, little clubs beating the big clubs, because they want their business.”

Wenger said he was “stunned” by Platini's words and Howard Wilkinson, the LMA chairman added: “Platini has made serious and personal comments about one of football's greatest ever managers, who is also counted among our most respected members.

“If Platini wishes to address certain issues with Arsene Wenger this would better be done privately and not in the public domain,” said the former Leeds manager, who had a brief caretaker spell in charge of England.

“I believe Arsene has always acted in the best interests of the game.”