Gary Monk happy with players' conduct in Villa tunnel fracas
Thursday 29 October 2015 17:02, UK
Garry Monk insists his Swansea players were innocent in the tunnel fracas which left Aston Villa captain Micah Richards facing an improper conduct charge.
Richards was charged by the FA following an incident at the end of Villa's 2-1 defeat to Swansea last Saturday, when the tunnel was visibly shaking from side to side with stewards rushing in to calm the situation down as the teams left the pitch.
The incident followed a first-half clash between Richards and Federico Fernandez and although both players escaped punishment for that - with the FA panel judging neither player committed an act of violent conduct - the England international was charged for continuing the argument after the match.
"From our side it was the right decision," said Monk. "I wasn't in the tunnel at that point and came out of the dressing room when whatever happened had all finished.
"But in terms of my players, and I've spoken to them, there was nothing at all from our side. I can't speak for Aston Villa but everything from the Swansea side was fine."
Swansea's victory was their first in six Premier League games and lifted the pressure on Monk, but proved the end for Tim Sherwood, who was sacked by Villa the following morning.
"Tim's a good guy, an honest guy, and someone I've got to know well over the last 18-19 months on the (Football Association of Wales) Pro Licence course," added Monk.
"It's sad to see a manager go but the nature of this job is you don't get time. It's something I imagine is going to happen continuously throughout the rest of the season."
