Fabian Wilnis today pleaded his innocence after being controversially sent-off in Ipswich Town's 2-1 defeat at Cardiff City.

The Blues were stung by a last-gasp winner from Jason Koumas - just four minutes after Jimmy Juan's sublime goal looked to have secured them a point at Ninian Park.

But their chances had been dealt a hammer-blow long before that - after just 13 minutes - when Wilnis was red-carded for a professional foul on Cameron Jerome.

And the Dutchman fumed: "I thought football was supposed to be a sport for men.

"There wasn't proper contact with their player and I was very disappointed with the way he went down.

"He hit the ground like he'd been shot but there was no way I'd fouled him.

"I put my arm out but that was just a natural reaction - there was nothing malicious in my challenge and to be shown a red card was a nightmare."

More in today's Evening Gazette

Published Tuesday, November 29, 2005

Brought to you by the Evening Gazette