Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel claims he has nothing to feel guilty about after being accused by FIFA of stamping on Dave de Gea.
Martin Skrtel has found himself banned for three games following the dismissal of his appeal against a charge of violent conduct.
The Liverpool central defender was found guilty of stamping on Man United’s goalkeeper David de Gea in the dying embers of Liverpool’s disappointing loss.
Ask FIFA what they thing, and they’ll tell you it was a stamp. As Skrtel what he thinks and he’ll tell you he has nothing to feel guilty about.
I don't feel guilty! Martin Skrtel claims innocence following ban for stamp on David de Gea http://t.co/dV9l9kUBTe pic.twitter.com/a5EFcRZwKv
— Mail Sport (@MailSport) March 26, 2015
Liverpool were expected to get a positive result against their arch rivals Manchester United, but they failed to perform and allowed Man U to boss the game. The low point of the day was when Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard was sent off 48 seconds after coming on as a substitute. As a result he will also be out for three games, not ideal for Liverpool who are desperate to make up ground on Man United.
Skrtel’s ban came as a shock to nobody other than him by the look of things. Fox Sports reported that Skrtel insists he is innocent and was surprised that he was handed such a ban following his appeal.
"“I didn’t want to stamp on him. It was an accident and I didn’t do it on purpose. I don’t feel guilty.”"
The Slovakian defender is away on international duty now, when he returns to Liverpool he will miss games against Arsenal, Newcastle and an FA Cup quarter final tie with Blackburn. Not many people believe that Skrtel didn’t intend on stamping on de Gea, but the defender is adamant it was an accident.
"“It was a long ball and he went towards me and I wanted to jump over him. Simple as that.”"
One thing is certain, the last thing Liverpool needed going in to the business end of the season is two of their key players being suspended. They’re currently 5th in the Premier league, five points off the coveted Champions League places. It’s going to be an uphill battle to retain their position in Europe’s most prestigious competition.
[H/T Fox Sports]
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