Thun man slams van
FC Thun's Alen Orman likened Robin van Persie's red card incident to kick-boxing.
FC Thun's Alen Orman says Robin van Persie deserved to be sent off after the Arsenal forward was dismissed for a high and dangerous challenge on the defender on Wednesday night.The gifted Dutch youngster was dismissed on the stroke of half time as The Gunners struggled to achieve a 2-1 win in the UEFA Champions League against a side that only turned professional nine years ago.
Van Persie appeared to be attempting to control a high pass, but his raised foot caught the former Hibernian man in the face fractions of a second after connecting with the ball - a challenge that necessitated nine stitches.
The Gunners are planning to appeal against the red card that will see the former Feyenoord man miss at least one game in the competition, although Orman believes the dismissal was well deserved and even likened van Persie's actions to kick-boxing.
"I don't know what he was trying to do going so high with his boots - he couldn't get the ball so I think it was the right decision from the referee as it was dangerous play," said Orman.
"Sometimes I go to watch kick-boxing but this was not the right sport for it.
"I went to head the ball back to the keeper and I just saw the boot in front of my face and then the blood in my hand.
"I knew what had happened but I didn't know the player had got the red card.
"When I stood up, I had a bit of a headache, but I wanted to play on and I didn't want to let my team-mates down.
"I've had one stitch under my right eye and several more above my left eye.
"I don't know how many exactly, I couldn't count them, but I feel okay now. That's the most important thing."
