I DIDN’T STAMP
‘Gentle giant’ Mings claims the FA are labelling him a thug over Zlat clash
TYRONE MINGS has blasted the FA for labelling him a thug over his clash with Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
The Bournemouth defender has been hit with a five-match ban after it was judged that he deliberately stamped on the Swede’s head during last Saturday’s ill-tempered 1-1 draw at Manchester United.
The former Ipswich left-back posted a social media message saying: “I am extremely disappointed at the FA’s decision to ban me for five matches, following what was an accidental collision with Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
“At no time was there any intentional stamp or a movement to suggest that. My foot did not change course and at no point did I try to move my foot towards his head. My only focus was to get back in and defend.
“Conduct like that is not part of my game so for people to deem that I could intentionally stamp on a fellow professional’s head is upsetting.
“It is an action that would not be acceptable in any walk of life, let alone on a football pitch and one that would never cross my mind.” Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe also defended Mings – who missed most of last season with a knee injury – on the eve of today’s home game with West Ham. “We believe he’s innocent of any charge,” said Howe. “It was a pure accident from his perspective.
“I believe that – certainly of my reviews of the replay. He’s hugely disappointed to miss five games at such a crucial period of the season for us.
“When you’ve been out for such a long time with an injury to then receive a suspension of this magnitude and miss more football is the most frustrating thing for him.
“From my dealings with him, in training and the games I have seen him play, he does not have that kind of streak in him.
“Although he’s a beast by stature, he’s a gentle giant on and off the pitch and I think it’s a real shame for him.
“Live, I didn’t see any coming together like the replay shows – it’s so difficult to see it at live speed.
“I see a defender who’s made a very good tackle trying to get back to his goal as quickly as he can – and his focus is on the ball, not on what lies beneath him.”