Maybury: no harm done - March 15, 2001
Republic of Ireland international Alan Maybury was carried off the pitch last night as Leeds United were held to a 3-3 Elland Road Champions League draw by Lazio.
Maybury's career may have taken a downward turn since he made his senior Ireland debut in 1998 - but it was almost finished for good last night by an horrendous two-footed lunge from Czech international Pavel Nedved.
Nedved caught the Dublin-born defender on knee and ankle and Maybury had to be chaired from the field. To add insult to injury, the referee failed to spot the foul and awarded Lazio the free from which Sinisa Mihajlovic fired home the Italian side's last-minute equaliser.
Leeds looked to have earned their second win over Lazio when Mark Viduka headed home Ian Harte's perfectly flighted free kick on the hour mark.
Leeds manager David O'Leary branded the tackle as "disgraceful" and added: "It was the kind of tackle that could have caused serious injury."
Thankfully, no serious damage was done. Nedved apologised personally afterwards and Maybury accepted.
But UEFA may still decide to take further action based on TV evidence.