SPORT
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INSIDE
Backing of
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PEARSON PRAISE FOR
CITY’S BLUE ARMY
MONDAY, JANUARY 12, 2015
Mauling
for Tigers
WE GOT WHAT WE DESERVED,
ADMITS BOSS COCKERILL
PAGE 56-59
PAGE 53-55
❚❙ CITY WAIT AND SEE ON RED CARD AFTER VITAL VICTORY
PICTURE: ALEX HANNAM
ALL ARMS Players from both sides get involved
after Matty James clashed with Villa’s Ciaran Clark
FLASHPOINT
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LEICESTER CITY will today assess
the referee’s report before
deciding whether they have a
case for appealing against Matty
James’ red card against Aston
Villa.
The midfielder was shown a
straight red card in added time of
City’s vital 1-0 victory as the
tension boiled over at the King
Power Stadium.
James went into a committed
challenge on Villa’s Jores Okore
CITY NEWS
BY ROB TANNER
www.leicestermercury.co.uk/sport
on the halfway line and then
Ciaran Clark sparked a brawl by
barging into James as he got back
to his feet.
Controversial referee Michael
Oliver was slow to blow his whistle
@Leicester_Merc
after James’ tackle but, after
players from both sides piled into
to pull the duo apart, James was
shown a straight red card while
Clark received a second yellow.
The flashpoint wasn’t over as
Clark then chased James off the
pitch and renewed the
confrontation with members of
both benches again involved.
Both clubs could potentially face
FA charges for the incidents.
City may find it difficult to
appeal if Oliver states in his report
James was dismissed for the initial
challenge. Replays show his studs
were up and he did connect with
both the ball and Okore, but
Pearson said he wanted to see if
Oliver’s explanation matched the
version he was initially given after
the game.
“I’m not prepared to make any
comments on it,” said Pearson. “I
will wait to see the report.
When asked about James’
reaction being out of character for
a mild-mannered player, Pearson
replied: “What reaction? To be
elbowed in his face? Have a look at
the replays,” he said.
“Everyone is going to have a
view on the tackle so have a view
on everything else that happens,
then make your own mind up
there.
“It depends what is in the report.
Turn to page 59
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