English Premier League: Stephen Ward defends Fabregas as Ian Holloway apologizes to Mick McCarthy
Wolverhampton Wanderers defender Stephen Ward has defended Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas, despite being on the receiving end of a dangerous tackle from the Spanish midfielder. Fabregas has come under intense criticism from the English press following his
aggressive tackle, which left Ward needing four stitches on his shin during a mid-week game against the Gunners
Cesc Fabregas was only shown a yellow card for his tackle, something a lot of pundits disagreed with after the game. It looked at first as though the challenge did merit a red card, but after consulting with his assistants, referee Mark Halsey decided otherwise.
Stephen Ward had to be stretchered off after the incident but did not think it was intentional from the Arsenal captain.
"I've no problems about the tackle. It happens in football and everyone tackles. It happens a couple of times in every game when people try and block you. He (Fabregas) is not a malicious player and I know there was no intent. It was just a mistimed challenge
and one of those things that happens in every game. It was good of him to come and find me and apologise and that shows what kind of a lad he is."
Ian Holloway apologises to McCarthy:
Blackpool manager Ian Holloway, meanwhile, has reportedly apologised to Mick McCarthy after he accused the Wolves manager of thinking that his team were not good enough to beat Manchester United last year when they made ten changes to their starting lineup.
Holloway’s comments came to light after he also made ten changes to his team’s squad for their match against Aston Villa in mid-week. However, Holloway insisted that his case of “ten changes” was different than the Wolverhmapton Wanderers situation.
Last season Wolves were punished with a twenty five thousand pound fine for fielding a weakened team. McCarthy spoke to the media on Friday and said, “I've spoken to Ollie about the comments attributed to me and my team and he has apologised to me and said
he will apologise publicly. I was less than pleased when I saw the comments because me and Ollie are pals and have always been very supportive of each other. He supported me last year when this happened to me but, fair play to him, he has apologised and we
will stay mates and that's the way it should be."
Blackpool face West Ham United in their next match at the weekend in the English Premier League -- an encounter that their manager has labelled as a “must win” one for his team. Wolves face Bolton at Moulineux stadium on 13 November after suffering a two
goal defeat to Arsenal in their mid-week Premier league matchup.
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