Coppell - Bikey's no fool

Reading boss defends player over push

By Lewis Rutledge   Last updated: 8th February 2008

Steve Coppell

Coppell: Backing Bikey

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Reading boss Steve Coppell has defended Andre Bikey following his push on a medic in Cameroon's 1-0 victory over Ghana on Thursday.

Cameroon were just moments away from booking their place in the final of the Africa Cup of Nations when there was a delay in the game following an injury to Bikey's team-mate Rigobert Song.

As Song was receiving treatment Bikey suddenly raced over and shoved one of the helpers over, earning himself a red card that rules him out of Sunday's final against Egypt.

Coppell cannot explain what he considers to be an uncharacteristic moment of madness from a player he has worked with at Reading since August 2006.

He intends to speak to Bikey about his actions when he returns to the club but believes there must have been a catalyst for his rage that was not picked up on camera.

"I can only assume something happened that we couldn't see," Coppell told Sky Sports News.

"They (Cameroon) were in a great position in the game, the clock was ticking away, there was an almost dormant instant in the game, and then he's run over there.

"He's no fool. Something must have happened to spark him off that wasn't visible on the TV.

"As soon as he comes back we will speak to him.

"It looked crazy on TV but he got really incensed about something, it wasn't a spontaneous act."