Tempers flared in the latter stages of Englands 2-2 draw with Ecuador as Premier League stars Raheem Sterling and Antonio Valencia were sent off the temperature reached boiling point in Miami. With eleven minutes remaining, Liverpools Sterling became the 13th England player to receive his marching orders after a wild sliding tackle on Manchester United counterpart Valencia sparked a late brawl. Substitute Sterling had only been on the pitch for 15 minutes before launching into a flying challenge near the touchline which got the ball - but took Valencia out afterwards. The angered Ecuador captain responded by jumping to his feet and grabbing the England winger’s neck, before the pair were split up. As tempers flared, American official Jair Marrufo gave both players their marching orders. The red card rules the Liverpool winger out of Englands final World Cup warm-up match against Honduras on Saturday. Valencia, who suffered an horrific leg break four years ago after a challenge from Rangers Kirk Broadfoot when playing for United in the Champions League, apologised to his team-mates and coach Reinaldo Rueda after the game. I am sorry for the fight with Sterling, said Valencia. I apologised to the team after the match and the coach. Team-mate Segundo Castillo nearly missed out on Ecuador’s World Cup squad because of a knee injury he sustained against Mexico. Valencia reacted so aggressively against Sterling because he feared the Liverpool winger could have ended his World Cup prospects. When he (Sterling) tackled me I thought about Segundo Castillo, Valencia said. He nearly missed the World Cup because of injury and I feared I would too, but thankfully I am OK. England boss Roy Hodgson spoke of his disappointment after the duo were given their marching orders. Im disappointed, he said. I thought it was a fierce challenge from young Raheem, not a foul challenge. He played the ball and accelerated into the ball. Im disappointed with Antonios reaction, grabbing the player. Had he not jumped up there wouldnt have been a problem but, when he does that, the referee had to deal with that and sent Raheem off. Im pleased Raheem didnt react to a lot of people milling around him. Jack had been on the receiving end a few minutes early from a very similar challenge from an Ecuadorian player and did not react.
Posted on: Thu, 05 Jun 2014 09:23:12 +0000
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