Haidara: 'Whelan Should Have Been Honest'!

21 March 2013 10:29
Massadio Haidara has admitted his surprise that Callum McManaman will not be facing punishment.

Massadio Haidara: "I don't understand.

"His tackle could have ended my career and ruined my life but in the end he will play football before me.

"We have to protect the players. I don't want to change the physical mentality, pace and commitment of football in England but we can't tolerate tackles like this in football.

"There is the difficulty of the language barrier but I think we will try to see each other with an interpreter.

"In the moment, I was really, really angry with him.

"I thought he had stopped my career. Now I feel differently and just hope that this will give him a lesson and that next time he will know how to stop himself.

"I understand how he (Dave Whelan) wants to defend his player but you have to be fair and honest.

"You just have to watch the footage and see the photographs to understand. People will make their own judgement but I don't want to be at war with Wigan now.

"I've not forgotten anything. I can still picture the challenge, frame by frame, in my head.

"The ball arrived. I controlled it. I thought I would have the time to dribble past him but he arrived like a missile on me.

"Everything was going so quickly. I didn't think he would tackle me, but even less at that height of my knee.

"Then I felt his studs on my leg - and straight away the terrible pain.

"I really thought my leg was broken. I was in so much pain I couldn't think of anything. I was completely shocked - I still am, to be fair - and I started thinking about my career and everything.

"I thought I would not play football again or never be back 100 per cent.

"I have to say I've never seen such a tackle in football in my life. I shudder every time I think about it."

Source: Newcastle United Mad

Source: FOOTYMAD