Warnock hits out at Blues ...for bad tackles

CARDIFF boss Neil Warnock has hit out at City for bad challenges as the row over protecting players rumbles on.

The Bluebirds manager accused Fernandinho and Kevin de Bruyne of ‘some horrendous challenges’ in the FA Cup tie on January 28, and in City’s game against West Brom the following week.

Blues manager Pep Guardiola was furious after his side’s 2-0 FA Cup fourth round win at Cardiff on January 28 when Leroy Sane was the victim of a dreadful Joe Bennett tackle and suffered ankle ligament damage.

But Warnock said City were guilty of bad tackles too - and is angry over accusations made by Guardiola after the game.

Warnock said: “I wished they would have put a slow still of Kevin de Bruyne’s tackle and studs on Jazz Richards.

“And the bad tackle of Fernandinho, and then when they played West Brom the following week.

“There were some horrendous tackles and nothing was said about that because there were another eight or nine games.

“We were unlucky on the day because Chelsea and Newcastle was the only other game and that was a damp squib.”

After the match, Guardiola made an emphatic plea for referees to protect players better, saying: “The only thing they have to do is protect the players... protect the players. Not the Manchester City players, all the players.

“The only thing they can do is that - protect the players.”