Guthrie tackle ´unacceptable´ – PFA boss

Players' union chief Gordon Taylor has branded the horror challenge by Danny Guthrie which left Hull City's Craig Fagan with a broken leg “clearly not acceptable” and predicted strong disciplinary action against the Newcastle United player by the Football Association.

Guthrie is facing an automatic three-game ban following the straight red card he received during the closing minutes of Newcastle's 2-1 defeat at home to Hull on Saturday when he ploughed through the back of Guthrie as the Hull man shielded the ball in the corner as he ran down the clock.

“What he (Guthrie) did was clearly not acceptable. I'm not sure what the FA are planning but I think it's entirely possible they will come up with a charge of bringing the game into disrepute,” Taylor said.

“We've all seen what happened and you can't condone it.”

However, Taylor commended Guthrie's public apology. “He's done a positive thing now and apologised for his actions and maybe that will help him.”

Hull announced Monday that Fagan could be out for up to six weeks and City manager Phil Brown said: “When you see that the end product is him putting a fellow pro in a cast, it's just not right.”

Guthrie, for his part, said: “I was very upset to hear the news concerning Craig.

“The club have been in touch with Hull City on my behalf because I want to speak to Craig in person to apologise and wish him a speedy recovery. I hope to be able to do that as soon as possible.

“It was a challenge that came purely out of frustration towards the end of Saturday's game, but anybody who knows me will accept it was totally out of character on my part.”