Leeds United midfielder Lee Bowyer has admitted standing on Malaga defender Gerardo during their ill-tempered UEFA Cup exit at Elland Road, his manager Terry Venables said on Friday. Bowyer landed his boot on Gerardo's face as the Spanish player lay prone on the ground after the Leeds midfielder had fouled him in Thursday's 2-1 third round, second leg defeat.
"He said he did put his foot on his head and if he does that he's got to be big enough to take the responsibility for it," Venables told reporters on Friday. "He's admitted himself he's got to take whatever comes at him, and I agree with that."
A UEFA spokeswoman told Reuters they were waiting for the referee's report on the incident. If that does not mention the clash, UEFA will review video evidence next week. Bowyer has been banned under similar circumstances before, with UEFA ruling him out of one leg of Leeds' Champions League semi-final against Valencia in 2001 on the eve of the game.
Venables, under fire after a poor run of results, seems prepared to let Bowyer deal with the fall-out. "There are a lot of circumstances around the club that you can say could be disappointing, but you can't afford to get disappointed," said Venables. "You've got a job on your hands to keep going and you've got to keep it going. It's my responsibility to do that."
Filed by Sinéad Kissane
