ARSÈNE WENGER and José Mourinho are not natural allies, but the Arsenal manager showed solidarity with his Chelsea counterpart yesterday by saying that a goalkeeper could die during a match without greater protection from referees.
In expressing sympathy for Petr Cech and Carlo Cudicini, the Chelsea goalkeepers who suffered head injuries in the match against Reading on Saturday, Wenger claimed that Jens Lehmann was targeted by opposing players and used the recent injuries suffered by Shay Given and Mark Schwarzer to press for a clampdown on physical challenges.
“I can understand why Mourinho is upset and also worried,” Wenger said. “This year there have been four incidents — Shay Given, Mark Schwarzer, Cech and Cudicini. It cannot be coincidence that suddenly in three months you have four.
“There’s nothing to stop players from hitting the goalkeeper. A striker can go in with the shoulder or anything and you have to be conscious that it’s dangerous. I can’t imagine a player would go in to hit another player on the head with his knee because you can kill the player. Has (Stephen) Hunt (the Reading player whose challenge injured Cech on Saturday) done that on purpose? I refuse to believe that, because then it is criminal.”
Lehmann echoed his manager’s concerns in characteristically colourful fashion, giving warning that goalkeepers could be left in wheelchairs unless the situation is addressed.
Chelsea were pleased last night to report an improvement in the condition of Cech, who suffered a fractured skull at the Madejski Stadium, but it will take a change in attitude at the Football Association for their mood to be altered in a similar fashion.
While Peter Kenyon, the Chelsea chief executive, spent yesterday gathering evidence and preparing a letter to the FA that will demand Hunt is given a three-match ban, the club’s players and management were lifted by news of Cech’s improvement and went to visit him in hospital. After undergoing surgery, Cech regained consciousness yesterday morning, although it will be at least three months before he is fit to resume training.
“Chelsea FC is pleased to confirm that Petr Cech’s condition is improving,” the club said. “He is now fully conscious following the operation and the effects of the anaesthetic. He is communicating and talking with his wife, Martina, as well as the Chelsea and hospital medical teams.”
Hilario, 31, the third-choice goalkeeper, faces the daunting prospect of making his debut against the European Cup holders.
“I am prepared for the challenge,” he said. “It does not worry me that it’s against Barcelona. I am prepared to stop them as much as I can and Mourinho knows that I am qualified and I believe in myself. Barcelona are the champions of Europe, but that does not worry me.”
(c) 2006 Times Newspapers Ltd.