Post by Taxigirl on Dec 9, 2003 9:46:39 GMT
Coventry midfielder Youssef Safri has come under fire after Sunderland's Colin Healy was left with a broken leg following Monday's 1-1 draw at Highfield Road.
Healy was stretchered off following an 80th-minute tackle by the Moroccan.
And Sunderland boss Mick McCarthy blasted: "I think it was a bad tackle as he has gone over the top.
"I have seen it three times and I cannot dress it up as anything other than a very poor challenge."
He added: "I am not saying it was malicious or even that he meant to do it, but the ball is there to be won and if players started tackling the ball we would all be much better off."
Coventry manager Gary McAllister, who rescued a point for his side with an equaliser from the spot, defended his player.
"I have played with Youssef for many years and I know he would not do anything like this on purpose," said McAllister.
"There was no intent at all and Youssef is very concerned for Colin Healy.
"Colin is a young player who has worked very hard to get where he is and to earn his contract at Sunderland. I am sure he will recover from this."
McAllister added: "It was not as much what I saw as what I heard.
"There was a loud crack and I was praying it was just a clash of shin pads.
"It is pretty disturbing to see a player lying on the pitch on oxygen.
"One minute the game was ebbing and flowing, the next there is a player on the floor with a serious injury."