Football(borin for some) - Arsenal vs Birimingham *Will contain disturbing images*

Now then, I was cleaning my bike at the time but Dad been a Blues fan was watching the game. He ran out and shouted to me that Taylor had been sent off after 2 mins. When we got back inside we found out why, Eduardo had received a somewhat "inocuous" challenge from Taylor resulting in a broken leg for the poor fella.

Edit - Google for the link or ask Plowsie via PM, please.

Arsene Wenger has now said that Taylor should never play again...wtf? It wasn't that malicious and I get dealt out worse than that all the time when I play. I think the referee was as disurbed as many of the players by it and just felt that the tackle must have been bad to send Taylor off. I will leave it down to yourselves to decide how bad the challenege really is.

Can i also make a not that I am not taking the p1ss being a Man United fan, it is never nice to see anything like this at all. Lookin across various forums and a lot of people are backing Wenger, calling Taylor malicious etc.

Don't think it was malicious. Obviously had to be a sending off but 'banned for life' is not needed (and Arsene Wenger retracted that statement).

I can speak from personal experience here. Eight years ago I as playing football when I went for the ball with someone from the opposition. My leg was at full stretch as my opponent hit it after missing the ball. I looked down and saw my my lower leg at a 90 degree angle. not good!. I was in hospital for 3 days (tib and fib broken) and in plaster for 3 months. Had a rod inserted inito my shin bone (had it removed 2 years later). At the end of the day I did not think it was due to any malicious intent on the part of my opponent, jus one of those things.

I've seen far worse challenges than Taylors not even red carded. It was just badly timed. Red card - yes. Ban - no.

Cheers Keith

Wenger released a statement. Saying heat of the moment talk really. Fair play to him.

have a look at the pictures in the news of the world there's 1 picture just as he hits his leg the balls gone and taylors lookin at the player i think there was a little bit of intent there

i dont think you can argue that there wasnt intent. its well known... kick arsenal = beat arsenal. i dont think that he intended to injure him though. its a common defender tactic in any league around the world at any level, at the start of the game, hit the strikers hard so they know you are there and will be a bit cautious in their running. IMHO

[Richie]

ouch... photo's on youtube...

search for yourself.
no link