Hunt writes apology to Cech

[Hortical]

<H1>Hunt writes apology to Cech</H1><BR clear=all><DIV class=text11 style="BACKGROUND: #fff"><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top>

Reading midfielder Stephen Hunt today insisted the challenge which left Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech with a depressed fracture of the skull was 'a complete accident'.

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=5 width=300 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD><SCRIPT language=JavaScript1.1 src="http://adsintl.starwave.com/js.ng/site=soccernet.espn.go.com&amp;cc=na&amp;sec=engla nd&amp;pt=story&amp;lg=eng.1&amp;adsize=300x250&am p;transactionID=7150103229661902"></SCRIPT><NOSCRIPT></NOSCRIPT></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>Hunt, who has been strongly defended today by his club, has written to the Czech Republic international to wish him a speedy recovery following the challenge, which happened during Chelsea's 1-0 win at the Madejski Stadium on Saturday. •PFA chief backs Hunt Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho claimed the challenge was deliberate but PA Sport understands the Football Association are unlikely to take any action because of the difficulty in proving intent. 'I can guarantee that I did not attempt to injure Petr, and I am very upset that the collision has resulted in such a bad injury,' said Hunt. 'When Petr slid in to collect the ball, our momentum meant that a collision was unavoidable. 'I think the TV pictures show that the collision was a complete accident, and I'd like to think that my team-mates and opponents throughout my career in football would say that I'm not the kind of person to deliberately hurt an opponent. 'Serious injury is the worst part of football and I feel terribly sorry for Petr. I have written to him to wish him a full recovery.' Hunt and Royals team-mate Ibrahima Sonko are almost certain to escape punishment from the FA after their controversial challenges left Cech and substitute goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini in hospital. Cech underwent surgery at the Radcliffe Infirmary's specialist neuro-surgical unit in Oxford after the first-minute clash with Hunt. Cudicini was carried off in the closing stages with concussion after the challenge from Sonko and the injuries have left the Premiership champions with a goalkeeping crisis ahead of their Champions League game with Barcelona on Wednesday. Hunt has been given the total support of his club, and a statement from the Royals read: 'Reading Football Club has strongly defended Stephen Hunt following allegations that he deliberately injured Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech during Saturday's game at Madejski Stadium. 'We reiterate (manager) Steve Coppell and Stephen Hunt's post-match comments that there was absolutely no intent to injure Petr. We firmly believe that the collision was a

[T.K.]

RE: Hunt writes apology to Cech

Dirty play....he had more than enough time and room to pull out and decided to "rake" the goalkeeper as he ran past. 99 times out of a 100 it just leaves a bruise or scrape but in this case he got full contact. Multiple game suspension is in order. - T.K.