Wilkins defends Scolari
Chelsea assistant manager Ray Wilkins defended Luiz Felipe Scolari
after the Blues boss appeared to encourage referee Lee Probert to send
off a Middlesbrough player at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday.
Scolari and Boro assistant Malcolm Crosby were involved in heated
exchanges moments before half-time when Crosby took exception to the
Brazilian waving an imaginary card from the touchline after Mohamed
Shawky handled the ball.
Shawky had already been cautioned and Scolari's actions were
perceived to be an attempt to get the Egyptian midfielder dismissed.
"It's a very emotional game," said Wilkins after Chelsea's 2-0
victory. "Passions do run high they ran high on their bench, they ran
high on ours."
BEHAVIOUR
Wilkins said he was all in favour of the Football Association's
recent 'Respect' campaign which is designed to reduce such behaviour by
management and players.
"I'm all for respect but if the referee felt he needed to be sent to
the stands then he would have done so.
"(Assistant referee) Steve Bennett was on the side so he didn't
advise the referee to send him to the stands so they must have felt it
was OK."
Boro boss Gareth Southgate played down the incident though he was
puzzled at Scolari's refusal to shake hands with him after the game.
"There were words exchanged between my assistant and Scolari - he
wanted to get one of our players booked and we weren't happy with that,"
said Southgate.
"He didn't shake hands with me, which is a bit strange, but that's
his prerogative."
SECOND SPOT
A pair of goals from Salomon Kalou saw Chelsea to a comfortable win,
moving them to second spot in the table. The Ivory Coast striker netted
in the 58th and 81st minutes to ensure the Blues condemned relegation
candidates Boro to an 11th consecutive league game without a win.
Victory Scolari's side saw them close to within two points of league
leaders Manchester United and ahead of Liverpool on goal difference
after the Merseysiders were held 1-1 at Wigan Athletic.
Chelsea travel to Anfield on Sunday and Scolari will be confident
after seeing his side notch up their fourth straight victory in all
competitions.
Captain John Terry returned to the Blues' defence following a back
injury while midfielder John Obi Mikel, suspended for the FA Cup win
over Ipswich on Saturday, replaced Juliano Belletti, who was ruled out
through illness.
LONDON, Thursday AFP
|