Keegan Slams Nasty Nasri
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Newcastle manager Kevin Keegan has blasted one-time transfer target Samir Nasri, insisting the Arsenal gun should have been dismissed for his reckless challenge on Joey Barton yesterday.
Barton received a hostile reception both on and off the pitch as he played his first game since being released from prison earlier in the summer.
While sections of the crowd jeered and taunted the former Manchester City midfielder, the treatment dealt out to him from his opposition was little better.
The 25-year-old was, somewhat ironically, on the receiving end of a cynical challenge after being brought on as a substitute, as an annoyed Nasri vented his frustration at loosing the ball shortly beforehand.
Keegan is livid that the French youngster was not sent off and is certain the referee would not have been so kind had Barton been the aggressor.
“I saw Nasri slice down Joey and that’s what I was so upset about,” he told News of the World following his side's 3-0 loss.
“If it had been the other way round I’m sure Joey would have been sent off.
“Joey came on and got a very good tackle in on Nasri. Then he tripped Joey when he was running back.”
Interestingly, Nasri was one of a crop of highly talented playmakers the Magpies attempted (and failed) to sign during the summer.
The 21-year-old made his way to Ashburton Grove from Olympique Marseille in July and appears to have settled nicely into his role on the flank for Arsene Wenger's side.
Keegan admitted the French international's challenge on Barton was uncharacteristic, insisting he is "too good" to resort to such thuggery.
“I like Nasri and we talked about bringing him to Newcastle, but he can’t do that,” the Toon boss continued.
“The referee didn’t see it but the linesman did. Under the rules it’s a red card.
“I spoke to Nasri at the end and told him I thought it was wrong — he is too good a player to do that.
“He said something back to me but French is one of the many languages I don’t speak.”