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The Football Association have no plans to investigate chants made by Birmingham City fans during Arsenal's 3-1 victory on Saturday that appeared to mock Eduardo's horrific leg break against the same opposition in February last year.
Gunners boss Arsene Wenger branded a section of the visiting fans “atrocious” after they sang “There's Only One Martin Taylor”, apparently glorifying the player whose x-rated tackle at St Andrew's sidelined the Croatian striker for a year. But Standard Sport understands that while not condoning the incident, the FA do not view it as anything exceptionally abnormal.
Taylor was injured and did not feature in the 18-man squad on Saturday. Wenger said: “It was frankly atrocious. They will not be remembered for the quality of their taste with that kind of remark.”
Birmingham boss Alex McLeish claimed not to have heard the chants, insisting: “Our fans gave us great away support”. But he found himself having to defend another challenge, this time Liam Ridgewell's tackle on Theo Walcott, which ultimately forced the winger out of the game.
The 20-year-old had a scan on his knee yesterday morning and has been ruled out of tomorrow night's Champions League trip to AZ Alkmaar.
McLeish said: “It was like watching Stuart Pearce, totally committed.”
Robin van Persie and Abou Diaby scored inside 20 minutes but Arsenal failed to kill the game off and Lee Bowyer pulled one back before a late third from Andrey Arshavin.
Reader views (3)
It looks as though Ridgewell try to do a Martin Taylor on Theo Wallcot.
The referee should have shown Ridgewell the redcard.The
Burmmies who were chanting M.Taylor's name were among the
the lowest. Birmingham city club will never conquer the premierhip; their place is in the lower divisons.
- John Pereira, Wembley Middx;
I'm all for trying to kick out racist/homophobic chants and I'm not particularly keen on the strong language used in chants given I take my young children along to games and the F word seems to be commonplace these days. But seriously, horrible injury that it was, why does it matter what some meatheads say? No bad language, no racist or homophobic undertones. A tad oversensitive Mr Wenger in my opinion. Or was it simply your surprise that a bunch of Brummies could string a sentence together (not that I'm being racist of course!)
- Andy, London, England
Because Arsenal is not Man Utd terefore nothing is going to happen. Hypocritical FA. They didnt punished Adebayor because they said the fans were the cause of Adebayors run to the fans. Who is interested however for Eduardor's feelings. NOT THE FA.aLWAYS TWO FACED AND HYPOCRITICAL.
- Doukani, herts
