Enrique Cerezo defends Tomas Ujfalusi after challenge on Lionel Messi
Enrique Cerezo, Atletico Madrid's president, has defended Tomas Ujfalusi over his tackle of Barcelona's Lionel Messi on Sunday.
Ujfalusi made a challenge on the Argentinian forward late in the game, catching his ankle with the studs of his boot. Messi was taken off on a stretcher and will now be on sidelines for at least two weeks.
The incident caused an outcry from Messi's teammates and from Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola, who said his players must be better protected. Following the criticism, Cerezo lent support to his player.
"It was a normal input in the box and when we saw the red card we all threw our hands to our heads because we didn't think it was that bad," Cerezo told Murcia of the Czech defender's dismissal.
"After watching the replay you could think more about it, but I think the player has not intended is, I can assure you Ujfalusi is a noble character both inside and outside the pitch and this is just his second red card."
Ujfalusi, a retired Czech international who joined Atletico in 2008, has previously played for Fiorentina and Hamburg in his career, which began at
SK Sigma Olomouc in the Czech Republic.
Unintentional challenge
Since joining the Spanish team, Ujfalusi has featured regularly in
Quique Sanchez Flores' starting eleven. When the team won the Europa League last year, the right-back featured in all eight games of the competition.
Ujfalusi made another challenge on Messi when the sides played each other one year ago, but he has only received two red cards since joining Atletico.
Cerezo echoed the sentiments of many of Barcelona's players when he said that injuring the star forward has not been Ujfalusi's intention.
"I am very happy that the injury is not that bad, but do not think there is malicious intent."
Atletico play their next league game away against Valencia on Wednesday.
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