Source: Daily_Mail
Kevin-Prince Boateng insists his tackle wasn't as bad as Michael Ballack's slap in FA Cup final
[LNB]Portsmouth midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng has hit back at accusations that he intentionally injured Michael Ballack in last Saturday's FA Cup final, saying the Germany captain was the chief offender for an earlier slap. [LNB]A dangerous tackle by Boateng saw Ballack's dreams of lifting the World Cup as Germany captain shattered, something for which the Ghana international later apologised. [LNB] Over the top: Boateng's late challenge has ruled Ballack out of the World Cup [LNB] But Boateng believes his tackle was nowhere near as bad as the slap he received from Ballack earlier in the game. [LNB] Holding his hand up: The Portsmouth player apologises after his reckless tackle [LNB]'There is my foul on the one hand and his slap on the other, and Ithink that violent conduct is far worse than a foul,' he told Germany'sSport Bild magazine.[LNB] Up for the battle: Boateng and Ballack square up to each other [LNB]'Ballack really does surprise me. He complains for weeks when(Lukas) Podolski slaps him and yet he does it himself. 'He is nobetter than Podolski. What kind of behaviour is that?' [LNB]Putting on a brave face: Ballack has joined up with the rest of the Germany squad [LNB]Boateng has also criticised Germany coach Joachim Low for showingmercy to his captain after he clashed with Podolski during the 2-0World Cup qualifying win over Wales in April 2009 while saying his foulon Ballack at the weekend should have been sanctioned with a red card.[LNB]'When I hear that, I can see that he has two different ways ofseeing things,' added Boateng. 'Can his captain slap whomever he wants?That was clearly violent conduct. [LNB]'If I had done that, I would have been banned for years. That is why I left the Germany set-up to represent Ghana.' [LNB]Boateng switched allegiances earlier this year after realising hewas unlikely to break into the senior Germany squad despite comingthrough the youth ranks from under-15 to under-21 level. [LNB]He is due to come up against Germany in the World Cup this summerwhen the two nations clash in their final group game in Johannesburg onJune 23. [LNB] Ballack: I won't let tackle by Boateng end my international careerRevealed: Germany's secret weapon... New Zealand rugby legend LomuUnder-fire Boateng says sorry for tackle that killed Ballack's World CupBoateng feels fury of Germany as Ballack is ruled out of World Cup [LNB]
