Borussia Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp was furious with the referee for sending off Neven Subotic five minutes before the end of his side’s 1-1 draw with Kaiserslautern.
The league leaders were on course for a 1-0 victory until their defender was shown a second yellow card, and then the home side equalised in the final minute to reduce Dortmund’s lead at the top of the table to 10 points.
Klopp pointed the finger at the referee for denting his side’s title push.
“I was stood on the sideline and the referee is right there and I could see it was a dive, yet he saw it as a foul,” Klopp said.
“I have just seen the incident again on television... I cannot understand this decision at all.”
FA announce Twitter crackdown
Players have been warned by the Football Association that they will crack down on improper comments on Twitter.
Liverpool’s Ryan Babel last month became the first player to be sanctioned for comments made on Twitter when he was fined £10,000 for posting a mocked-up picture of referee Howard Webb wearing a Manchester United shirt.
Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere last week escaped action after complaining of “inconsistent refereeing” on his Twitter account, and the FA have now made their policy clear.
“Comments which are construed as offensive or contain direct or indirect threats aimed at other participants are likely to be considered improper,” the FA said.
City’s Balotelli fit for cup clash
Man. City boss Roberto Mancini expects Mario Balotelli to be fit enough to make the bench for the Blues’ FA Cup fourth round replay against Notts County next Sunday.
Balotelli has not featured since scoring a hat-trick against Aston Villa on December 28.
Since then, the controversial Italian striker has been to America for treatment on a knee injury that initially flared up in August.
“Balotelli can go on the bench for the next home game against Notts County,” said Mancini.
Bale likely to miss Milan trip
Welsh winger Gareth Bale is likely to miss Tottenham’s Champions League clash with Milan due to an ongoing back injury, said Spurs boss Harry Redknapp.
Tottenham’s 2-1 win over Sunderland means they will head to the San Siro tomorrow on the back of three successive Premier League victories.
Rafael van der Vaart, who missed the game at the Stadium of Light, should be fit. But Bale, despite recovering well from his back problem, is unlikely to make the trip.
Redknapp said: “Gareth is not too far away. He’s not going to be fit, I don’t think, for Tuesday, but he’s not too bad.
“Peter Crouch has had the same problem and he is fine.”
No-one will catch Milan – Cassano
Milan striker Antonio Cassano scored his first goal for the club in the 4-0 thrashing of Parma and then claimed that no-one would catch the Serie A leaders.
The former Sampdoria frontman had already provided several assists for his club prior to Saturday’s game. But for the first time he tasted the feeling of a goal in the red and black shirt of Milan.
“The most important thing was the victory for the team but the fans noticed that we were aggressive from the off and if we continue like this, no-one will catch us,” he said.
“I’ve just played a great match both for Italy and Milan. Here you always have to be at 100 per cent because the aim is to win every time.”
Wenger hopes for shock Nasri show
Arsene Wenger hopes Samir Nasri can make an unexpected return for Arsenal in Wednesday’s Champions League clash with Barcelona.
French midfielder Nasri has been sidelined since picking up a hamstring injury in the FA Cup victory over Huddersfield Town and missed his side’s 2-0 Premier League victory over Wolves on Saturday.
Wenger had said the day before the Wolves clash he expected Nasri to be out for one more week but admitted after the game that he could be fit to face the Spanish champions in the first leg of the last 16 tie at the Emirates Stadium.
“I wouldn’t say no chance. I would say there is a chance,” Wenger said.
Gerrard, Agger set for quick return
Steven Gerrard and Daniel Agger could both return for Liverpool’s Europa League game against Sparta Prague on Thursday, according to manager Kenny Dalglish.
Influential captain Gerrard missed Saturday’s disappointing 1-1 draw with relegation-threatened Wigan at Anfield because of a groin injury.
And Agger was also absent from the defence with an abductor problem as Liverpool’s hopes of a fifth successive win under Dalglish were dashed.
But Dalglish hinted afterwards that both players could be back in midweek.
“It’s going to be days rather than weeks,” said the Liverpool manager when asked about the absence of two players from the Wigan game.