Cudicini has demanded more protection for goalkeepers

Riley took no action against Ibrahima Sonko, who knocked Cudicini out, or Stephen Hunt whose challenge caught Cech in the head.

Cudicini told the Daily Express: "If my collision had happened in the middle of the pitch he would have got a red card.

"Had the ref sent Hunt off you can rest assured he would not try it again."

Cudicini swallowed his tongue after being knocked unconscious in his goalmouth collision with Sonko, while Cech sustained a fractured skull in a challenge with Reading winger Hunt just 20 seconds into the game.

Italian keeper Cudicini added: "I have no qualms with Sonko, I am angry with the referee.

"It is obvious Hunt did not intend to harm Petr otherwise he should be labelled an assassin.

"But he is Pinocchio when he says he could not avoid him. He went in with a firm leg to get the collision, the fall and a possible penalty."

This is just an English problem, in Europe goalkeepers are always protected Chelsea keeper Carlo Cudicini

Cudicini claims keepers are not given as much protection in England as they are on the continent.

He said: "This is just an English problem. In continental Europe the goalkeepers are always protected. In England the contrary happens.

"On the high balls we have to punch away to avoid the kind of challenge which should not be sanctioned.

"I'm OK with 50-50 challenges where you get an elbow. But when you are on the ground, having got hold of the ball, here you still get a knee in the face or studs on your head.

"It is not customary here to jump over a goalkeeper," added Cudicini.

Cudicini branded as "absurd" a suggestion from Professional Footballers' Association chief executive Gordon Taylor that keepers should wear helmets.

He said: "Instead of demanding action against those who so violently challenge the keepers, they want to dress us up like ice hockey netminders."