Houllier defends Heskey over tunnel brawl

GERARD HOULLIER yesterday launched a strong defence of Emile Heskey in the wake of the television footage which apparently implicated the Liverpool striker in the Turkish tunnel fracas.

Heskey, who leads Liverpool’s attack in the UEFA Cup against Olimpija Ljubljana tonight, could now find himself central to an inquiry by the European governing body into the tunnel brawl which marred England’s goalless draw in Istanbul.

But his club manager claimed: “Is it being suggested Emile was involved? I did not see that.

“There is an inquiry by UEFA, but if Emile reacted it must have been something very serious whether against him or one of his team-mates.

“I consider that Emile is not the sort of person that reacts, despite the provocation he gets. He is a very quiet man.

“And also I find co-incidental that three players were also involved, not just Emile Heskey. It must have been a reaction to something that had been done.

“It is some people’s jobs to make a meal of it. But the referee was excellent, the English team did a marvellous job to keep their cool and composure. That is why they have qualified.”

And Houllier has deflected some suggestions that there could have been a racial element to the furore.

He said: “If Emile has reacted, it must have been something bad. I have talked to him about it and he has told me what happened, but I will not say because there is an inquiry.

“I do not know whether this is linked to racism, I do not know. But you know Emile, he is not that kind of person to react. But he was not the only one.

“I am not sure there was any racism, I cannot say, let UEFA do the job. A lot of things happen sometimes in tunnels, and there was a lot of people involved in that one.

“There has been a lot made out of it, whether it was on the field or outside the field, it was a high-tension game. But apart from a few things, I do not think there was a major incident on the pitch.

“I know what happened, but I will wait to see what UEFA say. But there is no problem from me, I like it when players react, it shows they have character. The good thing is it showed the team bonding and spirit.”

Houllier also dismissed suggestions that there should always be cameras in tunnels to sort out such brawls.

The Frenchman said: “I do not think there should be cameras in the tunnels. A CCTV camera? Maybe in the toilets as well? I do not think so.”

Heskey and Steven Gerrard must now put all thoughts of England glory behind them and make sure Liverpool get past a stubborn Slovenian side who held them to 1-1, in the first leg.

Houllier will be without Michael Owen, who could be back from his shin injury for Saturday’s game at Portsmouth.

Also still out are Jamie Carragher, Dietmar Hamann, Milan Baros and Danny Murphy. Chris Kirkland has recovered from his knee problem and will probably be on the bench.