Wesley Fofana Leicester City
Villarreal forward Fer Nino has apologised publicly and privately for the tackle that has left Leicester City defender Wesley Fofana facing months on the sidelines. Nino, a Spanish Under-21 international, challenged Fofana from behind on the hour mark of Wednesday night’s game, the scissor action breaking the Frenchman’s fibula. The two had come together minutes earlier, when Fofana nipped in to win a 50-50, leaving Nino writhing around on the halfway line. After Fofana was wheeled off on a stretcher, Nino was then booed by the 17,000-strong crowd at the King Power Stadium, most vociferously when he scored the first of the visitors’ two goals as they made a push for a comeback late on. Nino has said that he has spoken to Fofana and says he intended him no harm.
Fer Nino said: “I am writing to publicly apologise, having already done so privately with him, to Wesley Fofana for what happened last night at the King Power Stadium in Leicester. At no time was it my intention to harm him, as unfortunately happened. I sincerely hope that he has a speedy recovery and can return to the pitch as soon as possible to continue showing that he is a footballer of the highest level.”
Brendan Rodgers said on Thursday that Villarreal manager Unai Emery had apologised for the incident immediately, but the City manager was still critical of the tackle.
Brendan Rodgers said: “It was a horrendous challenge. It wasn’t a good challenge at all. Unai apologised straight away and then afterwards there was an apology. It’s disappointing for that to happen in a pre-season friendly.”
City are now waiting on the results of a scan due to take place on Thursday evening to determine the full extent of Fofana’s injury, and how long he might face on the sidelines.
