By Ioan Thomas
MARK Hudson accused Blackpool striker Gary Madine of targeting defender Perry Ng with a stamp during the 1-1 draw at Cardiff City Stadium.
The Bluebirds boss claimed Madine, who grabbed the Tangerines’ equaliser with a 67th minute header, had said during the half-time interval that he was gunning for Ng.
The two clashed early in the second half. Madine, who failed to score in 28 appearances across three seasons as a Cardiff player after joining from Bolton for £6m in 2017, was shown yellow by referee Josh Smith but Hudson insisted he should have been sent off.
“I’m disappointed with the fact the guy who scored the goal shouldn’t have been on the pitch,” said Hudson.
“It was pre-meditated. He said it at half-time so we warned the ref, we warned the fourth official ,that he was going to go and do that. They were aware of it and it’s clear as day that it was a stamp.”
Hudson emphasised his disappointment at not coming away with three points despite having “clear cut” chances.
Kion Etete’s 41st minute goal wasn’t enough for the three points for Cardiff.
“When you play that well in the first half and you have that many opportunities, clear cut ones to take we should have taken the game away from them,” Hudson added.
“We should’ve had a penalty in the first half but Callum Robinson got booked for simulation which is baffling.”
Talking about Etete’s place in the squad following an impressive performance, Hudson highlighted his “huge potential”.
He said: “He’s earned the right to have his start with the way he’s developed and with the work that we’ve been putting in with him. He looked hungry and he was a handful.”
FT’ Cardiff will be extremely disappointed to not have come away with three points following an impressive first half display. They will now be focused on a tough Boxing Day fixture at home to QPR.
🔵1-1🟠#CARBLA@SportsJournoUSW pic.twitter.com/LLJtfciZMH
— Ioan Thomas (@ioanthomo) December 17, 2022
Blackpool manager, Michael Appleton, didn’t appear at the post-match press conference, though Blackpool were made aware of Hudson’s comments about Madine and offered the chance to reply.
Regardless of the on-field issues a potential transfer ban looms over Cardiff following non-payment of the first instalment of the Emiliano Sala transfer fee, ordered last August by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
When questioned about the impact of the embargo Hudson said: “If we do have a window because there’s still ongoing proceedings, we’ll see what we can do because it’s not definitive that we won’t.
“We will continue with what we are looking at and there’s lots going on behind the scenes.
This disappointing draw sees Cardiff remain in 20th place, just two points above the relegation zone and Blackpool.
Cardiff will now look ahead to a tough boxing day clash against sixth-placed QPR at home.