Redknapp Pulls the Purse Strings

The Pompey manager, Harry Redknapp has criticised the situation that allowed the Welsh FA (FAW) to overturn the red-card sending off of Darren Purse in the Clarets last match against Cardiff at Turf Moor.

The result of the challenge by Purse on Andrew Cole was a serious gash to Cole's leg requiring him to leave the pitch for treatment involving 10 stitches. The referee had no hestitation in sending Purse off and most Clarets fans were staggered by the FAW decision earlier this week to overturn the red card following an appeal by Cardiff.

Portsmouth of course face Cardiff in the FA Cup Final this month so have a vested interest in the Purse decision. This decision by the FAW means that Purse would now be available to play in the FA Cup Final.

A number of Cardiff fans though have been suggesting on various messageboards that the Bluebirds gaffer, Dave Jones will not be selecting him for the game in any case but suspicions remain with many suggesting it was a biased decision by the FAW.

Cardiff play in the English Championship and will represent England in the UEFA Cup should they win the FA Cup at Wembley.

Darren Purse is also English himself

The argument against the Welsh FA being allowed to make these decisions has therefore again been raised.

"Anyone with any sense will have a look at the decision and realise it`s a bit strange," said the Portsmouth gaffer

"Cardiff wanted to qualify for the UEFA Cup and I`m 100 percent behind that - they should qualify if they win the cup.

"But how do you play in the English FA Cup and league but when you have a player sent off it goes in front of a Welsh appeals committee? How can that be right?

"I don`t want to see the boy miss a cup final - I wouldn`t want to see anyone miss a cup final - but Andy Cole said it was the worst challenge he`d ever received.

"We wouldn`t get any help at all. We would just get the player banned and that would be it.

"We`ve all got the same rules so everybody should abide by the same rules.

"But there`s nothing we can do about it. The whole situation`s a bit farcical."

Well said Harry!!

Just a reminder please for all Clarets fans to also complain to the FAW about this crass decision by going to this link:

Complain to FAW-Click here