FA wants life ban for coin thrower

THE Football Association, are calling for Aston Villa to ban for life the supporter who struck referee’s assistant Phil Sharp with a coin here on Saturday.

Sharp was hit on the forehead by a 50p coin thrown from behind the Villa Park dug-out towards the end of the goalless draw and needed treatment for a substantial cut before being able to complete the game.

FA spokesman Andrin Cooper said: “These sort of incidents are absolutely unacceptable. There is no way that match officials should have to worry about their safety.

“There is no place for this sort of behaviour and we will be fully investigating this matter in co-operation with Aston Villa and the police. We would fully expect that, if the individual is identified, he would be banned for life.”

Villa have reiterated their determination to find who was responsible for the incident and are working closely with the police on the matter.

Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp also called for a life ban for the miscreant, although he preferred to focus on the outstanding performance of defender Sol Campbell following his team’s doughty display.

Redknapp believes Campbell could still have a future at international level, despite not having featured during the Fabio Capello era.

He said: “Sol could do a job still for England. I’d love to see him back in the England squad. I think he is still good enough. He is fit and has got terrific pace.”

ASTON VILLA (3-5-2): Friedel 7, Cuellar 6, Davies 6, Laursen 6 (L Young 88, 5),

Milner 6, Reo-Coker 6, Petrov 6, Barry 8, A Young 6, Agbonlahor 5, Carew 6.

Subs Not Used: Guzan, Sidwell, Harewood, Knight, Shorey, Gardner.

PORTSMOUTH (4-4-2): James 6, Johnson 6, Campbell 8, Distin 8, A Traore 7 (Belhadj 78, 5), Little 5 (Utaka 71, 5), Davis 6, Diop 6, Pamarot 6, Defoe 5 (Mvuemba 82, 5), Crouch 6.

Subs Not Used: Ashdown, Hreidarsson, Thomas, Kanu.

REFEREE: Mike Riley (Yorkshire) 6: Nothing controversial, on the field at least, to trouble the officials.

MATCH RATING: ** A poor game which will be remembered for all the wrong reasons.