Barton tackle ‘exaggerated’

ROY KEANE believes there has been an over-reaction to Joey Barton’s thigh-high challenge on Dickson Etuhu — and that football is in danger of going soft.

Sunderland Keane boss, a ferocious tackler in his playing days with Manchester United and Ireland, said: “I’m not one for jumping up and down on the sidelines when I see a tackle. It was high but he was going to win the ball.

“The incident has been exaggerated. It’s not as though Dickson needed treatment — he wasn’t carried off.

“The lad Barton has apologised and, as far as I’m concerned, it’s over with, we move on.

“We seem to be losing that side of it, but you have to tackle, the ball is there to be won and it’s an important part of the game.’