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Last Updated: Sunday, 9 March 2008, 17:24 GMT
Fifa to look at Taylor challenge
Martin Taylor
Taylor insists his challenge was clumsy rather than malicious
Fifa president Sepp Blatter wants to examine Martin Taylor's leg-breaking tackle on Arsenal striker Eduardo and could extend his three-match ban.

Birmingham defender Taylor has insisted the challenge was clumsy not malicious.

But Blatter has said he will contact the Football Association to release the disciplinary file of the incident.

"We have the right to ask national associations to give us the file - and if we feel the suspension is not enough we will come back on that," he said.

Eduardo suffered a double compund fracture of his left leg and will miss the rest of the season as well as Croatia's Euro 2008 campaign.

The Arsenal striker has accepted it was an accident after meeting Taylor in the Birmingham hospital where he underwent surgery, but Blatter clearly has other views.

606: DEBATE
northlondongooner

Speaking at a meeting of the International FA board in Gleneagles, he added: "I told the International Board that a player who is deliberately attacking another player and tries to demolish a player should be banned.

"And not only for three matches but temporarily banned or a life ban depending on the severity of the attack.

"Why the hell should footballers demolish each other?"

Blatter's comments follow those of Cristiano Ronaldo, who complained at his lack of protection during Manchester United's surprise FA Cup defeat by Portsmouth on Saturday.

The Portuguese winger said he was "scared" to play his natural game due to some of the tackles he has to contend with in games.

"Sometimes I say that this is the best league in the world, but sometimes they don't protect the skilful players," he said.

"After what happened to the Arsenal player Eduardo da Silva, I am scared to do my skills.

"Sometimes they just protect the defenders and I am thinking about having to change my game because it is difficult to play like that."



SEE ALSO
Gold outraged by Blatter comments
08 Mar 08 |  Birmingham City
Blatter demands action on tackles
07 Mar 08 |  Football
Taylor apologised to me - Wenger
29 Feb 08 |  Arsenal
Taylor shattered by injury horror
25 Feb 08 |  Birmingham City
Wenger retracts Taylor criticism
24 Feb 08 |  Premier League
Birmingham 2-2 Arsenal
23 Feb 08 |  Premier League


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