Coppell sorry for Sonko
24 Aug 2006 - 10:26:43
Reading boss Steve Coppell felt central defender Ibrahima Sonko was unlucky to be red-carded in the 2-1 reverse away to Aston Villa.
The 25-year-old stopper was dismissed just past the half-hour mark for a clash with Luke Moore that resulted in Villa's equalising goal from the penalty spot.
Kevin Doyle had earlier put Reading ahead at Villa Park, but their hopes of victory soon slipped away and Gareth Barry netted a second-half clincher for the home side.
Coppell said after the game: "I thought we looked promising up until the sending-off and that continued when we went down to ten men.
"We were not outclassed and even with ten men, I felt it was an opportunity to gain a point.
"You look at the penalty incident and I know my player and he never looked at their player at all. He just got into a tangle.
"The letter of the law says there has to be intent. My player is not stupid. He is not going to bring a player down there.
"All defenders now know it's better to lose a possible goal instead of a player, but the referee produced the quickest card I have seen in my life."