SIR ALEX FERGUSON has defended Ryan Giggs over the controversial free-kick that almost saw Lille storm off the field in protest during their 1-0 Champions League defeat by Manchester United last night.

Giggs fired home a quickly-taken free-kick seven minutes from time to give the Red Devils victory in their last-16 first-leg showdown.

Lille were incensed the goal was allowed to stand by Dutch referee Eric Braamhaar given keeper Tony Sylva was still lining up his wall and goalkeeping coach Jean Noel Duse called the home players to the sideline in what appeared to be an attempt to get the game abandoned.

Ferguson was furious at the conduct of his opponents, particularly as he felt his own side had done nothing wrong.

"If the referee allows you to take a quick free-kick, the goal should be allowed it is as simple as that," he said.

"We have seen it a few times in the Premiership already. You ask the referee if you can take it. If he says yes, that is what you do.

"I have no idea who was responsible for what happened after that, it is not my concern, but I have never seen anything like that before. It was a disgrace.

"I have seen a lot of bad behaviour in my career.

"Football is an emotional game but usually everything calms down by the next day. But I have never seen anything like that before.

"It created an intimidating and hostile atmosphere and it was totally wrong.

"Gary Neville was struck by an object thrown from the crowd and our bench was pelted with objects. It should not be allowed."

Opposite number Claude Puel responded to Ferguson's attack with some critical comments of his own.

"I have heard this before from Sir Alex Ferguson because he likes to influence the referee. He is trying to create a situation.

"Of course, we are very disappointed because I would prefer to talk about football."

Lille president Michel Seydoux has claimed Giggs' matchwinner would not have been allowed to stand if Manchester United had conceded it.

"If Lille had done the same thing the referee would not have allowed the goal," he said.

"Our players could not understand the decision because it would not have happened at the other end."

Seydoux also stated the Lille players were not attempting to stop the game but merely protesting against the official by heading to the sideline.

"It was not an attempt to get the game abandoned," he said.

"It was an emotional moment and that is the way you put a reserve on the fourth referee. They are the French rules. Maybe it is not the same in the Champions League." CRUSH TERROR FOR FANS - PAGE 8 Raul is still the Real thing with a double

Real Madrid beat Bayern Munich 3-2 at the Bernabeu, where Raul scored twice to extend his record tally in the competition to 56 goals.

Ruud Van Nistelrooy added Real's third - all three being made by David Beckham - but Bayern gave themselves a chance of salvaging something from the second leg with goals from Lucio and Mark van Bommel.

A spectacular 25-yard strike from Ecuadorean midfielder Edison Mendez gave PSV a 1-0 win over Arsenal, whose boss Arsene Wenger slammed rival Ronald Koeman's defensive tactics.

Champions Barcelona host Liverpool at the Nou Camp tonight, while AS Roma host Lyon, Porto welcome Chelsea, and Inter Milan are at home to Valencia.