LIVERPOOL boss Brendan Rodgers has dismissed the idea that nets are required at football grounds in order to protect players from supporters.
PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor put forward the controversial plan following last weekend’s Manchester derby when Rio Ferdinand was struck by a coin at Eastlands.
The United defender was left nursing a cut close to his eye and Taylor said the introduction of nets, which are used in other parts of the world, was the only solution.
“What happened last week was scandalous – it could have taken out Rio Ferdinand’s eye,” said Rodgers. “But to go back to what it was years ago or putting nets up, I don’t see that as a way forward.
“You get one or two mindless people at games and the focus has to be on them. How can we punish them so they never get the chance to do it again, not punish the other 40, 50, 60 thousand people. They are there for the passion and love of the sport.”
Rodgers also pulled no punches on the week’s other big issue after UEFA allowed Serbia to escape with a pitifully inadequate fine of £65,000 following the racist chanting and violence at their game against England Under-21s in Krusevac back in October.
He added: “UEFA have given them a fine which is a slap on the wrist. It’s disappointing. The sanction that they put out was not too dissimilar to the one they dished out to someone (Nicklas Bendtner) who had an advertising slogan on his pants. It’s poor.”
