Tuesday Mar 18 2008 08:18
Birmingham City chairman David Gold has blasted
Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas for reopening the debate over Martin Taylor's clash with
Gunners striker Eduardo.
Taylor's challenge in the 2-2 draw at St Andrew's left the Croatia international with a career-threatening leg injury, with Fabregas again questioning the Blues defender's conduct.
However, an angry Gold commented: "Fabregas has got this wrong and I will stand by Martin through thick and thin over this.
"It may be his opinion, but I would ask him to listen to the majority of voices who have been in the main supportive of Taylor. It wasn't a malicious tackle.
"Why is Fabregas still talking about this three weeks after the event? I don't deny that Martin has to take responsibility, but Fabregas is talking about there being intent.
"Is he saying he thinks Martin went into the tackle to deliberately hurt Eduardo? If he is then it's outrageous and it does the player, his football club and football no favours at all.
"They don't know Martin Taylor. I do and I know it was an out-and-out accident with absolutely no meanness of spirit, but he is being demonised.
"Martin is a professional and will get on with his game, but I fear he will suffer because of this.
"The incident will stay with him for the rest of his days, because he is not the person that Fabregas has portrayed him to be."
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