Premiership players' chief Gordon Taylor is concerned that the on-going war of words between Liverpool and Blackburn Rovers could lead to a long-term feud between the two sets of players. The row stems from Lucas Neill's atrocious tackle on Liverpool's Jamie Carragher on Saturday, which left the defender with a broken leg.
Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier slammed both Neill and his manager Graeme Souness over what he felt was the absence of an appropriate apology or show of remorse following the horrific over-the-ball tackle that will keep Carragher out of action for six months.
Former Liverpool manager Souness hit back at Houllier hinting that the former French national team manager does not understand tough tackling because he has not played at the highest level, by saying: "If you have played the game at this level, then you have to understand these challenges will happen.''
And now PFA chief Gordan Taylor is worried that the row between the two teams could spill over onto the pitch when Rovers travel to Anfield later in the season. "In general, managers must be careful about having a go at players in another team. We do not want to be create bad blood for return matches," he warned.
Taylor added: "Football should be about putting smiles on people's faces instead of creating a vendetta between two clubs. Managers must be aware that their comments can inflame the situation and we have spoken to the LMA about this."
Filed by Rob Wright
