Gallas' challenge

[Sir Tokyo Sexwale]

Arsenal's defender William Gallas will not face retrospective disciplinary action from the Football Association following his late tackle on Bolton's Mark Davies in last night's 4-2 Premier League win at Emirates Stadium.

 

Bolton's manager Owen Coyle labelled the challenge, which happened in the build-up to Arsenal's crucial equaliser at the start of the second half, as "akin to assault", however scans today revealed the damage to the midfielder's ankle was not as bad as feared, allaying worries it might be broken.

 

Arsenal's manager Arséne Wenger was quick to issue an apology if the incident was, as television replays suggested, a foul. However, it is understood that as the referee Alan Wiley viewed the challenge as two players coming together at the time and so allowed play to continue, no separate disciplinary proceedings can be implemented, as the FA does not re-officiate matches.

 

Coyle was less than impressed by the challenge. "The second goal was the big turning point," Coyle said. "Clearly it was a foul, and closer to a red card. It was akin to assault and it changed the game.

 

"However, the fact is the referee has not seen it, and the lad is prostrate on the ground, and Arsenal being full of fair play, as we keep hearing, have carried on and scored an equaliser. That is hard to take. I don't want to sit here and make excuses, but I have seen red cards for less."

 

Who believes the same would hold if it was the other way round?