Redknapp hopeful Huddlestone will avoid charge

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Andrew Feinberg

White House Correspondent

Harry Redknapp was today hoping UEFA were not considering charging Tom Huddlestone with violent conduct after he appeared to elbow an opponent in the face in Tottenham's Champions League thrashing of FC Twente.

Twente forward Marc Janko claims Huddlestone deliberately "smashed his arm into my face" and left him with a nosebleed while the pair tussled during Wednesday evening's Group A clash at White Hart Lane.

Spurs midfielder Huddlestone was not punished over the incident on the night - indeed he was being fouled by Janko at the time and the free-kick went the other way - but UEFA may decide to take retrospective action after viewing video evidence.

Manager Redknapp revealed he had watched footage of the first-half challenge and acknowledged Huddlestone had made contact with his elbow but cast doubt on whether there was any intent.

He said: "I have looked at it. I'd be a liar if I sat here and said I hadn't it, wouldn't I? I know some managers do that.

"It's not like Tom, he's not at all an aggressive player, he's a fantastic footballer and a great guy.

"It looked like he caught him with an elbow. Whether he meant to do it, I'm not so sure.

"Hopefully, nothing will come of it and we can all move on."

Were Huddlestone to be charged and banned over the matter, he could miss Spurs' mouthwatering Champions League double-header with holders Inter Milan.

Janko said: "If you look at the TV pictures, you will see he clearly hit me on purpose. He smashed his arm into my face. Then when I showed the ref my bleeding nose, he smiled at me."

Spurs later had Rafael van der Vaart dismissed for two bookable offences and Janko claimed his side would have won the game had they been playing nine men.

He added: "With Huddlestone off and then Van der Vaart, we would have stolen the three points. It's sad they needed the ref's help."