Alex McLeish is unhappy Lee Bowyer's alleged stamp was highlighted when Samir Nasri's challenge avoided coverage.
Blues boss unhappy Bowyer facing trial by television
Birmingham City manager Alex McLeish is unhappy Lee Bowyer's alleged stamp on Bacary Sagna was highlighted when Samir Nasri's challenge on Stephen Carr avoided press coverage.
Bowyer is facing a ban from the Football Association for his actions, an incident which was missed by referee Peter Walton in Arsenal's 3-0 win at Blues.
McLeish does not like to see players prosecuted based on television evidence, but was further incensed that Bowyer's alleged stamp was showcased when Nasri's studs-tackle was not discussed by highlights shows.
The Scot thinks a fair system needs to be introduced and that, if one player is getting tried by television evidence, then all players should be accountable by the system.
Fairness
"I don't like to see trial by television," said McLeish. "But, if we're getting tried by it, then everybody has to be tried by television.
"We are just looking for fairness. We're not defending anybody if they have made a bad decision (challenge) on the field. We're not going to defend anybody.
"We look for fairness. If it's going to be the smaller clubs who are scrutinised, then it's got to happen to the bigger clubs as well.
"As I said, we want fairness. The Samir Nasri challenge on Stephen Carr was nasty, the studs were showing.
"But that wasn't slowed down by television. Slow that down, I'm sure you will think it looks a bad tackle.
"With ours (Bowyer) there is a big furore and 'oh, he's got to get done'.
"If Stephen had gone down, it may have been different but he's one of these guys who doesn't like to show an opponent that he has hurt him.
"I'm not saying it was a malicious challenge but, if you slow it down, I am sure you will see Nasri's studs go into his ankle."
