Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has defended the club's vice-chairman David Dein after claims he influenced England's manager search.
Dein, also on the Football Association board, was accused by Boro chairman Steve Gibson of shielding Wenger from being approached for the England job.
But Wenger said: "David Dein has never tried to influence me.
"He has never tried to force me to do anything. He would not have stopped me from doing the job if I had wanted it."
He added: "I do not know exactly what process England went through, but David Dein was not in charge of that consultation.
"He was on the committee but the media have given him too big a role. They want to blame somebody."
Dein, also on the Football Association board, was accused by Boro chairman Steve Gibson of shielding Wenger from being approached for the England job.
But Wenger said: "David Dein has never tried to influence me.
"He has never tried to force me to do anything. He would not have stopped me from doing the job if I had wanted it."
He added: "I do not know exactly what process England went through, but David Dein was not in charge of that consultation.
"He was on the committee but the media have given him too big a role. They want to blame somebody."
