Windass Bites Back At Claims

Last updated : 15 April 2004 By Rob Cooper
Dean Windass has entered into an explosive war of words with Reading defender Ricky Newman, firing counter accusations of 'sour grapes' after 33-year-old Newman claimed Windass bit him during Reading's game with Bradford last weekend.

Both teams finished the highly-charged game with ten men and former Middlesborough and Sheffield United player Windass was at the centre of the controversy.

The Royals eventually suffered a costly 2-1 defeat at the hands of Bryan Robson's side.

Following the latest allegations regarding his behaviour, Windass rubbished the biting claims and hit back at Newman, accusing the defender of blaming Reading's play-off demise on him.

"It sounds like a case of sour grapes because losing to us has really hit their Play-Off hopes," Windass remarked, speaking to the Bradford Telegraph & Argus.

"Of course I never bit their lad. He is just jumping on the bandwagon after hearing a few supporters on the radio saying I did. The defender was marking me really tight at a free-kick and as I tried to get it, we were pushing and jostling a bit and just fell in a heap."

Reading defender Ivar Ingimarsson received the red card during Saturday's game for pushing Windass to the floor, although Ivar claims that a punch and a head-butt from Windass went unnoticed prior to the incident that led to his red card. The TV camera man also failed to pick up on the alleged proceedings.

However, Royals manager Steve Coppell claims that Hull-born Windass admitted to 'conning' the referee into red-carding Ingimarsson. But the 33-year-old played down his role in proceedings.

"Ingimarsson said that I head-butted him but it was a tussle in the box and we just rubbed heads. Then he lashed out, which the referee saw, and got sent off for it," he said.

Windass will have done little to restore his reputation amongst Reading fans with his latest suggestions. But we could see the back of him by the weekend as his side Bradford will be relegated to the Second Division if they fail to beat Wimbledon this Saturday.