Southgate defends Pogatetz

Boro boss reflects on Austrian's horror tackle

By Chris Burton   Last updated: 24th September 2008

Emanuel Pogatetz Manchester United Middlesbrough Carling Cup

Pogatetz: Sees red at Old Trafford

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Gareth Southgate insists Emmanuel Pogatetz's shocking challenge on Rodrigo Possebon was out of character.

The Austrian defender scythed into the Manchester United youngster during Boro's 3-1 Carling Cup defeat at Old Trafford on Tuesday.

He was immediately shown a red card, but argued that he had actually taken the ball.

Possebon was rushed to hospital with a suspected broken leg, although those fears have since been eased, and required several minutes of urgent medical treatment as he lay stricken on the field.

Southgate concedes that the tackle from his man was reckless, but is adamant that Pogatetz is not the type of character to deliberately inflict an injury on a fellow professional.

Aberration

"Pogi is a good human being. He will be upset about it, but these things happen in the heat of the moment," the Boro boss told the Evening Gazette.

"He is a wholehearted player, and won the ball, but also caught Possebon.

"Over the last two years Pogi has worked hard on his disciplinary record. This challenge was an unusual aberration.

"He has taken the responsibility of the captaincy seriously, and referees have commented on that.

"I don't know whether Pogi was aware of how he followed through. He appealed that he had won the ball."