Paintsil:Gerrard pinched my rib in a league match

Former Ghana international, John Paintsil, has revealed that Liverpool legend, Steven Gerrard, once pinched him during an English Premier League match which nearly resulted in a head-butting clash between them.

In an exclusive interview with Daily Graphic, Paintsil said the near head-butting incident was merely meant to divert attention from the real action which saw them pinching each other’s ribs in the heat of the game.

“Gerrard held my ribs with both hands and pinched me hard while gazing at me to deceive the referee, who was by then watching closely. In reaction, I also held his ribs and pinched him so hard that he almost screamed, but our foreheads remained very close as if we were ready to engage in a head-butt,” the former Fulham defender recalled.

Paintsil explained that during the match, he dispossessed two Liverpool players of the ball in a midfield action and while surging forward, one of the players tackled him from behind, causing him to lose his balance, but the referee ignored the incident and waved on play.

“At this stage, Gerrard, who was on my heels, kicked me from behind, causing me to lose my balance and fall down, so the referee whistled against him. As soon as I got up, Gerrard rushed on me, held my ribs with both hands and started pinching me.

 “In reaction, I also held the ribs of Gerrard and pinched him so hard that he almost screamed, but the referee, who never saw the action, eventually separated us. He (the referee)never noticed the pinching because he only gazed at our foreheads to see if any of us would head-butt for him to flash his card.”

Asked why players attack one another in tension-packed matches, Paintsil said : “There are gentle misconducts on the field of play. Sometimes, players react when opponents kick them, but  the reaction should be in a nice way.

"It is wrong to attack opponents with the legs, hands and head, but there are ways to react nicely to escape punishment from the referee.

“Even if you are angry, you should know how to react because as a professional player, it is important to control your temper to avoid creating a scene. Even when you are provoked, you should know how to react,” he stated.