Wenger retracts horror tackle comments

Updated 12.13 Sun Feb 24 2008

Keywords: Birmingham, Arsenal, Wenger

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says he regrets calling for Birmingham City's Martin Taylor to be banned for a tackle on striker Eduardo.

Taylor was sent off for the foul that broke Eduardo's leg, sparking fears the striker's career could be ruined.

The tackle came in the third minute of the match and the Brazilian-born Croatia international needed eight minutes of treatment before being taken to hospital with a double compund fracture of the left leg

Wenger reacted angrily after the 2-2 draw at St Andrews by saying: "He should never play football again."

"What is he doing on a football pitch? Eduardo's season is over, more than the season is over."

He now admits he spoke in the "heat of the moment", and accepts the injury was just a terrible accident.

The tackle came in the third minute of the match and the Brazilian-born Croatia international needed eight minutes of treatment before being taken to hospital with a double compound fracture of the left leg.

Birmingham manager Alex McLeish defended Taylor, saying "Martin is distraught. It's not in his nature to commit a malicious tackle. He didn't feel there was much contact."

But Croatia captain Niko Kovac criticised Taylor, saying: "I can't believe such brutality still exists in football."