London, Nov 10 Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher has insisted that he is being punished by referees following Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger's comments about him in September.

Wenger had accused Man U of playing 'anti-football' after Arsenal's defeat at Old Trafford, and had said that one player was constantly fouling, but getting away with it. Even though Wenger did not take names, the player was widely assumed to be Fletcher. he 25-year-old now reckons that it has affected the way he has been judged ever since.

"We are starting to see Mr Wenger's comments beginning to influence referees, which is a shame," The Sun quoted Fletcher, as saying.

Fletcher was fuming after his challenge on Ashley Cole resulted in a free-kick, which resulted in Chelsea's 76th-minute winner at Stamford Bridge.

"Now we have to raise our game and ensure these decisions are not affecting the match. It was clearly not a foul. I knew at the time and I have watched it again on the replay. I back-heeled the ball and Cole just jumps up in the air and the ref gives a foul," Fletcher said. (ANI)