Tottenham Hotspur v West Ham United: Preview

18 March 2011 21:13
Harry Redknapp has slammed UEFA for banning Joe Jordan from the first leg of Tottenham's Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid.

Spurs were shocked to hear that the Scot would be barred from the first leg of next month's Champions League clash - the draw for which paired Tottenham with Jose Mourinho's side.

UEFA confirmed that Jordan had been charged with improper conduct for his clash with AC Milan midfielder Gennaro Gattuso during Spurs' 1-0 win in the San Siro on February 15. The pair were involved in a heated touchline exchange during the match and Gattuso headbutted the 59-year-old as tempers frayed after.

Gattuso received a four-match ban for his actions, and claims he headbutted Jordan because he racially insulted him - an accusation that the Scot denies.

Jordan's refusal to physically respond to Gattuso's rage while the two squared up earned him praise and Redknapp is adamant that he does not deserve to be banned.

"How Joe has got a one match man, I don't know. What has he done?" Redknapp said.

"It just doesn't make sense to me. The man's done nothing wrong."

Jordan has until Sunday evening to appeal against the ban, which under UEFA rules, means that he must watch the game from the stands and not communicate with the team during the match.

"Others have been banned for one game for arguing with referees and Joe's done nothing. He doesn't deserve that," Redknapp added.

"It's completely and utterly wrong and if there is an appeal system we should appeal."

Tottenham may have seen off Inter and AC Milan, but they could hardly have been paired with a tougher opponent in the last eight than nine-time European champions Real.

With the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Iker Casillas among their ranks, they will surely provide Redknapp's team with their sternest test of the competition so far.

To make matters worse for the Londoners, should they upset the odds and beat Real, they are likely to meet favourites Barcelona in the semi-finals.

But for Redknapp, who inherited a team at the bottom of the league when he took over two and a half years ago, the two legs are something he is looking forward to.

"It's a fantastic draw, what a game to look forward to," he said.

"Real Madrid are one of the greatest names in world football.

"They are a great side and these are great days to have in your life and they are great days in Tottenham Hotspur's history. You want to manage in these games and play in these games. The fans want them too so it couldn't be better."

Spurs have been boosted by the news that Gareth Bale is likely to make his first start in two months against West Ham.

West Ham boss Avram Grant believes fellow managers will stop giving honest answers if they continue to be reprimanded by governing bodies.

The Israeli was charged with improper conduct by the Football Association on Wednesday following comments he made about match official Mike Jones after his side's 2-1 FA Cup defeat to Stoke last weekend.

Grant was left disappointed after seeing his side crash out of the competition at the quarter-final stage, and claimed afterwards that the Hammers should have been awarded a penalty in the second half.

The charge was made on the same day that Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson was given a five-match touchline ban and a #30,000 fine for his verbal attack on referee Martin Atkinson at Chelsea last month.

Ferguson rued that "football is the only industry you can't tell the truth in" and his comments echoed by Grant.

"I don't have much to say," said Grant.

"I can say only that after the game in the interview I did not speak about the referee.

"Then one of the journalists asked me about the referee - ask him why he asked me - and I gave an honest opinion.

"I didn't put a question mark on the integrity of the referee or anything because I spoke with the referee, I shook his hand after the game.

"And again I gave an honest answer. If it is against the rules, I don't know."

He added: "One thing for sure is I don't think the managers will give an honest opinion about [football decisions if this continues]. I am sure about this."

This weekend the Hammers boss leads his side into a London derby against friend and fellow manager Harry Redknapp.

The Tottenham boss worked with Grant during the pair's spell at Portsmouth and now go head to head in a vitally important clash at opposite ends of the table.

"I prefer to eat lunch or dinner with Harry Redknapp but we are managers," he said.

Source: DSG