Harry Arter deserves all the plaudits for his mature reaction to Moussa Sissoko’s elbow on Sunday afternoon.
The incident occurred during Tottenham Hotspur’s 0-0 draw with AFC Bournemouth in the lunchtime Premier League clash.
Things very nearly kicked off late in the game when Arter and Sissoko jostled for possession at a throw-in. The Republic of Ireland international was chasing down the ball when he was struck in the face by a stray elbow from the Frenchman. He went crashing down to the turf clutching his face.
Referee Craig Pawson decided not to punish Sissoko for the challenge, but he could still be banned retrospectively. However, speaking after the game, Arter explained that there was no intent from Sissoko and he would prefer if no action was taken against him.
“He said to me afterwards that he did catch me but that it was by accident.”
“He doesn’t seem to be that sort of player, so I’m sure it was by accident and hopefully we can move on from it.”
We’ll see if the Premier League also conclude that Sissoko didn’t mean to catch the Bournemouth man. If they do decide to hand the Frenchman a retrospective ban then he could miss important Premier League games against Leicester City and Arsenal.
