Planet Swans ArchivesTempers flared after striker Gorka Pintado’s two footed lunge at Robbie Savage, in the 71st minute that saw the Spaniard see red.
In the aftermath of the incident a number of Derby players are seen engulfing Pintado following the challenge on Savage with Rams keeper Stephen Bywater pushing Pintado to the floor. Looking back at Saturday’s events, Swans boss Paulo Sousa is still sternly adamant that his players have nothing to answer for, he said “We will be defending ourselves because we didn’t do anything wrong.After Gorka’s tackle there were a lot of Derby players around him, pushing him to the ground.My players arrived later to separate things and protect Gorka who was on the ground. I saw my team’s solidarity and, as far as I am concerned, the position is very clear that they didn’t do anything wrong.”
In a highly fraught game, Derby were lucky not to be down to 10 men after Jay McEverly’s crunching tackle on Joe Allen,despite the severity of the challenge the Liverpudlian only picked up a booking. Retrospectively, the Portuguese tactician has praised his players for conducting themselves in an appropriate manner after the tackle on Allen, he added,”I think if you look back to the bad tackle on Joe Allen none of our players reacted, even though they all thought it was a red card.We will state our case to the FAW and I am sure we will have a fair hearing.”
Swansea City have until the 5th March to send any evidence relating to their defence whilst Derby County have until the 9th March to submit any evidence to the FA. Jay McEveley, who was also dismissed following an off the ball incident with Nathan Dyer will today face a person meeting due to convene at Wembley Stadium to answer charges of improper conduct.
