Carvalho Apologises For Horror Tackle

[Steve 10,227]

Chelsea defender Ricardo Carvalho has apologised for his vicious two-footed challenge on Gabriel Agbonlahor in today's 4-4 Premier League draw with Aston Villa.

Carvalho was shown a straight red card by referee Phil Dowd for the 80th minute horror-tackle that could have inflicted serious injury on Agbonlahor.

The Portuguese defender said: 'It was never my intention to hurt Gabriel Agbonlahor with the tackle.

'I was going for the ball and I don't want people to think that I tried to hurt another player.

I didn't see him after the game to apologise but I asked for a message to be passed on to him.'

Chelsea boss Avram Grant backed Carvalho's claim there was no malice involved in the incident.

He said: 'For me what's important is that Carvalho did not intend to hurt the player - I didn't see any intention.

'The red card was the decision of the referee and I respect it. I will look at the incident again.'

Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill maintained the sending off was fully justified. He said: 'It was straightforward red card and Gabriel was the last man, even though he had 40-odd yards to go.'

Carvalho will now miss matches against Newcastle and Fulham and an FA Cup third-round tie against Queens Park Rangers.

His dismissal was one of three in a controversial clash at Stamford Bridge with team-mate Ashley Cole and Villa centre back Zat Knight also receiving their marching orders.

The absence of Carvalho and Cole leaves Chelsea without virtually their entire first-choice defence with skipper John Terry also in the treatment room.

Source: WWW.SOCERNET.COM

Edited December 26, 2007 by STEV3O

[Ricky10 5]

A bit to late after he done it it went to bad :unsure:

[port 0]

Carvalho should do what Crouch did and say exactly the same thing, see what happens (he may change English to European tho)

there are just tooooooooo many ill-minded people who hate Chelsea for no fcuking reason!

[Layla 0]

My god can you imgain?There'd be public out cry and a bloody big fine.Esp if he swore at the away fans as well

[misschief 24]

Fair play to him for holding his hands up straight away and apologising. Crouch's reaction to immediately try and excuse himself by blaming Mikel was sickening. I'm glad we havent got cowards like him at Chelsea.

[Steve 10,227]

yea he did know he did wrong straight away and he didnt argue he just took the red card and walked off the pitch