Stars like Zaha need protection

CRYSTAL PALACE centre-back Mamadou Sakho has called for defenders to be punished for bad tackles – regardless of the referee’s on-field decision.

He reckons retrospective action – with red and yellow cards handed out after the final whistle – is essential to protect the likes of skilful team-mate Wilfried Zaha.

Zaha (below) complained about rough-house treatment after he was scythed down by Huddersfield Town’s Mathias Jorgensen earlier this month.

The Danish defender was cautioned but Sakho says it is time the authorities got even tougher on foul play based on a video review of the match.

He said: “I thought Wilf took a really bad kick. For me, it was a red card – 100 per cent. The referee did not see it like that. He cannot see everything on the pitch. It is impossible. “But afterwards they can judge it. It doesn’t matter if he just gave it a yellow card. The officials need to watch a video of the game and then decide.

“They can all have a look at it afterwards. “I’m a defender. If I did something bad on the pitch it is only logical, after the game, to give me a red card.

“I wouldn’t be against that. If I do something bad, I’m conscious of it. I know I did something wrong.

“When that player kicked Wilf, he knew he had done something bad. We’re on the pitch to play, not to break legs.”

Sakho believes Palace are blessed to be able to call upon the Ivory Coast international.

He added: “He could play for any of the big clubs. He’s one of the best wingers in the Premier League.

“I’m on the pitch with him. I train with him – we have good battles! So, I see what he does first-hand. He gives every full-back a difficult time.

“It is bad people try to stop him like they do. But perhaps they feel that he is so good it is the only way they can.”