ACTUALITE |
12.11.2001
French star Pires accuse of spitting at Australian villain Muscat
MELBOURNE,
Australian defender Kevin Muscat claimed Monday he was spat at by French forward Robert Pires before hacking down Christophe Dugarry in Sunday night`s friendly international here.
Muscat was given a yellow card for the wild 57th-minute tackle which saw Dugarry suffer knee ligament damage that could keep him out of action for three months.
"In a deeply regrettable incident, Robert Pires spat in my face during the first half of the game," Muscat said in a statement.
"This isn`t the first time he has done this in a match against Australia, and I wouldn`t let it happen to me on the street, let alone during a match," the Wolverhampton Wanderers defender added.
"This is by no means an excuse, however it was the catalyst for some incidents during the match."
Muscat and Pires, who plays for English Premiership side Arsenal, had earlier faced up to each other after the Australian crashed into the Frenchman.
Australian coach Frank Farina substituted Muscat immediately after the tackle, which led to a scuffle involving players and officials from both sides.
Farina defended the Wolverhampton Wanderers hard-man, saying Dugarry was not hurt in the actual two-footed tackle, which most observers felt would have warranted a red card in a championship match.
"It`s the momentum when they fall together and he twists his knee," said Farina.
"What has really irked him (Muscat) and a few of the other players is Pires spitting.
"Maybe he (Pires) should look in the mirror himself and seriously look, if it is true what happened, at his actions.
"He should understand he has a responsibility as a champion of the world.
Before leaving, French coach Roger Lemerre criticised Muscat`s "brutal" approach.
"Football is not a game of skittles," said Lemerre. "I`m deeply unhappy about that tackle."
Dugarry was incensed by Muscat`s challenged and said the injury could have been even worse.
"It was just lamentable," he said. "Playing like that shows a complete lack of respect. I could easily have ended up with a broken leg.
"We came here to play soccer but this takes all the pleasure away."
Australia held world and European champions France to a 1-1 draw in a match played in driving rain.
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