West Ham women boss Paul Konchesky has told his side of the story after being sent off amid shocking scenes against Aston Villa.
West Ham’s women were in action against their fellow claret and blues Aston Villa on Saturday afternoon.
Former West Ham men’s star Konchesky takes charge of the Hammers women with Carla Ward manager of Aston Villa.
And both will undoubtedly have been shocked by what they saw at the end of a 2-1 victory for West Ham.
In the 91st minute West Ham women’s star Hawa Cissoko was sent off for a shocking violent outburst against Villa.
The France international and former PSG star took exception to being hassled for the ball by Aston Villa’s Sarah Mayling and pushed her marker.
Cissoko then viciously struck Mayling in the face with an open palm not once, not twice but THREE times in a ridiculous moment of indiscipline which will likely result in a lengthy ban.
West Ham women boss Paul Konchesky tells his side of the story after being sent off amid shocking scenes against Aston Villa
It marked a rather unsavoury end to the clash and it wasn’t finished there.
The incident sparked chaotic scenes on the touchline between the West Ham and Villa dugouts which reportedly continued down the tunnel after the game.
Hammers manager Konchesky was sent off too facing allegations he punched one of Villa’s coaching staff.
Now West Ham women boss Konchesky tells his side of the story after being sent off amid the shocking scenes against Aston Villa.
“I did get sent down the tunnel with their guy. Is it a bit harsh? Probably because I’m sticking up for my player who’s getting stuff said to her,” Konchesky told BBC Sport.
“But I think that’s football and I’m looking after my players, so whatever the consequences I’ll take (them).
“We don’t want to see that happening in football, I get it. But like I said I will stick up for my players and so I have.”
Villa boss Ward called the scenes ‘ugly’ and slammed Cissoko for her actions.
But Konchesky hit back saying the Villa bench were to blame for sparking the touchline fracas.
“I’m not sure what really happened on the pitch, how it happened. I did see Hawa raise her hands but I see the opponent raise her hands as well,” Knochesky added.
“She stays on the pitch and Hawa gets sent off.
“As Hawa goes down the tunnel some of their staff are saying stuff to my players, which I don’t respect, so me and my staff will obviously stick up for my players and I think that’s why you see – not a scrap – but you see it all going on near the dugouts.
“It’s a bit like what’s gone on on the pitch.”