Stoke City boss Tony Pulis refused to condemn home fans barracking Arsenal rival Arsene Wenger during yesterday's 1-1 draw.

Pulis accepted abuse from the stands can go too far, although he stopped short of criticising his own supporters or agreeing that the two clubs need to tackle the enmity between them.

"It is very difficult for us all," he said. "I go to grounds and get abused. It's not just Arsene. If you speak to Sir Alex (Ferguson), he gets absolutely slaughtered at some grounds. Is it acceptable? The powers that be have got to decide that."

Regarding the treatment of Aaron Ramsey, Pulis added: "I was more concerned about the Arsenal supporters booing Shawcross so I didn't hear the ones on Ramsey."