Healy tackle accidental, says McAllister

COVENTRY CITY boss Gary McAllister insisted Youssef Safri’s leg-breaking tackle on Sunderland’s Irish midfielder Colin Healy was “absolutely accidental”.

McAllister said Safri, who played alongside Healy when the Sunderland midfielder was on loan at Highfield Road from Celtic the season before last, was not a malicious player and he would not have intended to cause his opponent harm.

The damage to Healy's shattered right leg was so bad Sky Sports decided not to show it again after the game as it would be too upsetting for viewers. Sunderland manager Mick McCarthy stopped short of accusing Saffri of any intent, but felt it was "a poor tackle, over the ball".