Spurs keep quiet on Klinsmann KO

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR manager Gerry Francis refused to criticise referee Robbie Hart publicly for failing to send off Aston Villa goalkeeper Mark Bosnich for the clattering challenge which left German ace Jurgen Klinsmann nursing a suspected broken nose in Tottenham’s defeat last night.

Video evidence clearly showed Bosnich guilty of a reckless high challenge that left Klinsmann flat out in the 21st minute of the game.

He was stretchered off unconscious.

But diplomatic Francis said: “I haven’t seen the video yet and there are many interpretations of the new rules that things have become muddier rather than clearer.

“I thought Jurgen was very brave going for the ball and he’s left with a terrible headache and his nose may be broken, although we’ll need scan first to find out for sure.

“But I can’t hammer the referee because I haven’t seen it on video yet, although it was always obvious that Jurgen was going to get to the ball first before the goalkeeper.”

Spurs players surrounded the referee demanding him to take action, but Francis said afterwards: “The players can see things that we can’t from the sidelines and that’s always a good clue to what goes on.

“I’m just relieved Jurgen came round again fairly quickly and we’ll take him back with us to London tonight and see what the hospital says.”

A contrite Bosnich said:

“It was a very unfortunate incident, but the ball was swirling in the wind and I just had to come out for it. “

Dean SAUNDERS made Spurs pay with a marvellous strike six minutes later, cutting in between Calderwood and Dean Austin shoot powerfully into the far corner after Steve Staunton supplied a defence-splitting ball down the left-flank.