Reading striker Nelson Oliveira has blasted the FA for refusing to punish Tyrone Mings after claiming he could have been blinded by the defender's horror face stamp.
Oliveira suffered five deep wounds and broke his nose in four places after being trampled on by Mings during Reading's 0-0 draw with Aston Villa last weekend.
But under FA rules Bournemouth loanee Mings cannot be banned retrospectively because referee Geoff Eltringham spotted the incident at the time and took no action.
Speaking to the media for the first time on Thursday, Oliveira said: 'I'm not saying he did it on purpose but he could have avoided me 100 per cent.
'He texted me to apologise. At the time I hadn't seen the video. Football is an aggressive game but that is not football. It could have been much worse; I could be blind.
'I'm not criticising the referee because it's not my job. It's up to the FA to look at these things.
'If the same thing happened to Harry Kane what would happen? How would the FA look at it when his career could have been over? It's a question to ask people and the media.
'If this happens in Portugal they would look at it again. You see UFC fighters come off looking better than me.' Mings was suspended five games in 2017 for stamping on Manchester United ace Zlatan Ibrahimovic's head.
Oliveira added: 'In the last two years he has stamped on the head of two players. The FA need to look at that.
'I know there are FA rules buy something things are bigger than that.' Oliveira is being fitted with a face mask but is unlikely to play for Reading at Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday.
Royals boss Jose Gomes has accused Mings of stamping on Oliveira on purpose.
Gomes said: 'Our media department has a very good picture that clearly shows him looking down before he steps on Nelson's face. There is no doubt it's intentional.
'The FA must punish Mings or the referee, but the ref didn't see it. Now nothing happens and it is not fair.'
Foeabilotz
0
The FA are a Toothless group of alcoholics you would never want to meet
they probably spin each other round in a swivel chair
Foeabilotz
1
He was mid air no way he could’ve avoided him
What is that was Abraham and our defender stamped on him What would you say then?
Foeabilotz
0
The FA are a Toothless group of alcoholics you would never want to meet
all they do is play connect 4 and get drunk
Foeabilotz
0
Not wrong. Not just Kane but any three lions player. The FA would of hired a mum to nurture them at home throughout the healing process.
So true
Foeabilotz
2
He was mid air no way he could’ve avoided him
you are wrong he looked down at Oliveira's face and did nothing about it How would you feel if you were Oliveira?
loyimpsty
3
He was mid air no way he could’ve avoided him
lahmmiss
1
Hes 100% Right - Tyrone Mings should be arrested for GBH. He knew what he was doing, hes done it before to other players and hes a disgrace to the sport. Hes a repeat offender and very dangerous.
Horrible, dirty player Mings!
Lisajust
0
I think the FA need to change the rules, this nonsense the ref saw it or didn't see it. I think we're aware the ref can't see everything hence the introduction of VAR, serious cases of injury like this need to be revisited otherwise the game is out of control!
Exactly!
teardrop
3
Hes 100% Right - Tyrone Mings should be arrested for GBH. He knew what he was doing, hes done it before to other players and hes a disgrace to the sport. Hes a repeat offender and very dangerous.
seeing
1
That was deliberate
osakalim
1
I think the FA need to change the rules, this nonsense the ref saw it or didn't see it. I think we're aware the ref can't see everything hence the introduction of VAR, serious cases of injury like this need to be revisited otherwise the game is out of control!
ukulele
1
Well said Oliveira. You are 100% correct with your question.
Minemine
1
Not wrong. Not just Kane but any three lions player. The FA would of hired a mum to nurture them at home throughout the healing process.
Lenlife
2
The FA are a Toothless group of alcoholics you would never want to meet
Possibly
1
Oliviera dont expect any favours from the FA against repeat offenders .If you look at "driving divers out of the game" the only Premiership player to serve a match ban was Niasse of Everton who was confronted by the biggest defensive numpty in the Premiership . Scott Dann. The referee Anthony Taylor still thinks it was a penalty,
amicablef
1
'Our media department has a very good picture that clearly shows him looking down before he steps on Nelson's face. There is no doubt it's intentional. Couple that with form and there's no doubt. FA are a disgrace letting this go.
adjective
1
That looks horrible, picture 2. Unacceptable that he wasn't charged.
balcony
1
The bigger the star the more protection they get, seemingly in all professional sports on and off the field.
pezcdiopty
3
i feel it for Oliveira the referee is totally useless