I was punched, says West Ham star

Leo Spall13 April 2012

West Ham's Hannu Tihinen today alleged he was felled by a punch from Charlton's Matt Svensson during their teams' 1-1 draw.

Defender Tihinen, a Finn, went down just outside his own penalty area holding his face after appearing to clash with the striker off the ball half an hour before the end of last night's game at The Valley.

Referee Dermot Gallagher was not looking in the direction of the alleged incident but it led to some more ugly clashes.

Tihinen's team-mate Nigel Winterburn clattered Svensson with a wild tackle to which Svensson responded by appearing to lash out at Winterburn with his feet. Winterburn and Svensson then squared up and players from both teams became involved. Again Gallagher took no action.

Centre-back Tihinen, on loan to West Ham from Norwegian side Viking Stavanger until the end of February, said he does not intend to make an official complaint.

But if the incident is reported to the Football Association by any of the match officials, either club or the referee's assessor, their video panel may take up the issue. Tihinen said: "A Swedish player punched me like Mike Tyson and that is why I went down. It caught me in the mouth and nose and there was some blood also."

Svensson was the only Swedish player on the pitch.

Tihinen added: "The ball was away and I just tried to keep him behind me but the referee didn't see it. It is always like that between Finland and Sweden.

"It is like England and Scotland fighting and that is why he hit me. But I just accepted it. The game is over and I will not complain about it."

Svensson said he could not recall any incident involving Tihinen and said his argument with Winterburn resulted from a challenge they both made for a loose ball. Svensson said: "It was nothing really. That is just how it is in games. You are all up for it and if the ball is in between both of you then you are going to go for it."

Winterburn, referring to his clash with Svensson, said: "It is all part of the game. It is all about passion and you need to be competitive. I have not got a problem with anyone after the game."

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