Taylor denies intent over Eduardo injury

Taylor denies intent over Eduardo injury

Birmingham City central defender Martin Taylor has insisted there was 'no malicious intent' in his tackle which has left Arsenal striker Eduardo with a suspected broken leg.

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Eduardo, who will be 25 on Monday, was stretchered off after Taylor's third-minute challenge in the 2-2 draw at St Andrews and was immediately taken to hospital.

Taylor was given a straight red card and now faces an automatic three-match suspension.

But Gunners manager Arsene Wenger claimed the former Blackburn player 'should not be allowed to play again' in a blistering attack on the player.

Birmingham have responded this evening by issuing a three paragraph statement in defence of Taylor who was left 'distraught' by the extent of Eduardo's injury according to manager Alex McLeish.

The statement reads: 'The club are saddened that such a fantastic game of football has been marred by a serious injury sustained to Arsenal player Eduardo.

'But Martin Taylor is adamant there was no malicious intent in the tackle and he is deeply upset by the extent of Eduardo's injury.

'Having reviewed the incident, this (no malicious intent) is clearly the case. The club and Martin Taylor would like to send their very best wishes to the player for a speedy recovery.'

Wenger claimed: 'The tackle was horrendous and this guy (Taylor) should never play football again. It goes along with this idea that to stop Arsenal you have to kick Arsenal.

'That kind of thing was waiting to happen because many people got away with too many bad tackles. We escaped a few times but it's just not acceptable. If that is football, we are better to stop it.

'I am hugely disappointed and you cannot accept that on a football pitch.'