'I AM NOT A DIRTY PLAYER'
By 40 YEARS A BLUE
December 20 2005
Michael Essien today spoke of the controversy that has dogged him over the last few weeks, namely the tackle of Hamann in the Champions League and the Lauren (lost the tooth) with a shove on Sunday against Arsenal at Highbury.
Interesting when you read what he says, there is no mention of the tackle on Hiam when Bolton came to Stamford Bridge. Interesting as in the tackle being part and parcel of the game, which Essien tries to explain regarding the incident with Hamann. Basically you have to ask yourself was the tackle on Hiam, no worse or no better than the one on Hamann and whatever the answer is, why has there been no further mention of it from the man himself? Essien says, "I feel the time is now right for me to speak about recent incidents in which I have been involved and I would like to make the following clear. During my career in football so far I have never gone out with the intention of hurting anyone in a tackle. Nothing I have ever done has been deliberate. I am not a dirty player. I have paid for a mistake on Dietmar Hamann with a suspension. That is sufficient punishment for someone like me who only ever wants to play football, playing means everything to me. I phoned Dietmar personally to apologise to him. I assured him it was an accident and there was no malicious intent on my part. I believe he accepted this graciously and as far as I am concerned the incident is behind me." Essien continued, "On Sunday the referee booked me for the challenge on Lauren. The midfield, especially in English football, is a physical and competitive place. I will always compete fairly but never with malice. Like others before me, such as Patrick Vieira, I need time to adapt to English football. England is a great place to play and I love the style of the football." And with thanks, Essien finished with, "I would also like to thank my manager, team-mates and the Chelsea fans for their continued support."