Cudicini adds further fuel to the fire

Carlo Cudicini has criticised referee Mike Riley for failing to send off Stephen Hunt and Ibrahima Sonko for the challenges that hospitalised him and fellow Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech.

Cudicini was knocked out and swallowed his tongue after Reading defender Sonko colliding with him in Saturday's 1-0 Premiership victory at the Madejski Stadium.

Riley took no action over the incident and initially did not even stop the game, with the Royals nearly equalising while the Italian lay unconscious in the penalty area.

"I am sure that if a collision like Sonko's with me had happened in the middle of the pitch, he would have got a red card," Cudicini said. "But the referee did not even blow for a foul.

"I have not qualms with Sonko. I am angry with the referee."

Cudicini was only on the pitch because Blues number one Cech had been taken to hospital with a fractured skull following a challenge by Irish midfielder Hunt shortly after kick-off.

"It is obvious Hunt did not intend to harm him - otherwise he should be labelled an assassin. But he is Pinocchio when he says he could not avoid Petr. He went on with a firm leg to get the collision, the fall and a possible penalty.

"Had the ref sent off Hunt, you can rest assured that Hunt would not try it again in the following match."