Stoke City FC

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Shawcross claims no malice

28 Feb 2010 - 11:21:38

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Stoke defender Ryan Shawcross has issued a statement in which he claims there was "no malice" in his tackle which left Arsenal's Aaron Ramsey with a suspected broken leg.

Shawcross, who was handed a first call-up to the England squad in the aftermath of City's 3-1 defeat on Saturday evening, was sent off midway through the second half following a lunging tackle which left Ramsey with a serious injury.

The defender left the field in tears but received little sympathy from Arsene Wenger after the angry Gunners boss accused him of an "unacceptable" and "horrendous" tackle in his post-match interviews.

But speaking in a statement issued on Saturday evening, Shawcross claimed there was no intent on his behalf.

"There was absolutely no malice in the challenge," he said.

"I would never, ever go out to hurt a fellow professional.

"I am deeply upset that Aaron has suffered such a bad injury and my thoughts are with him.

"I would like to send him my best wishes too for a speedy recovery."

Potters boss Tony Pulis leapt to the defence of Shawcross after the match and the club added in the statement: "Stoke City would like to send their best wishes to Aaron Ramsey and Arsenal Football Club.

"The club do, however, wish to make it quite clear that there was absolutely no malice in the challenge from Ryan Shawcross which caused the injury."