Big Sam blasts FA

  • by Staff Writer
  • Thursday, 18th October 2012

Sam Allardyce has hit out at New Zealand Football after they insisted Winston Reid make the trip home for the All Whites' World Cup 2014 qualifying match against Tahiti.

Reid, who was nursing an injury sustained during West Ham's 3-1 defeat at home to Arsenal a fortnight ago was ordered back to New Zealand by the NZF - the country's equivalent of the English FA - for the match, which the Kiwis won 3-0.

That result gave them an aggregate win of 5-0 and edged them closer to another appearance in the Finals. However Allardyce was critical of the decision to call Reid - who was an unused substitute - back for the game.

"I don't see any sense in calling them over and particularly that far, because they are injured," he said. "I don't see any sense it in at all. I also think there was an underlining factor that they didn't trust him or us that he was injured.

"There's another underlining factor that tells me that the players are brought there and then they're put under enormous pressure to play, because of the loyalties to the country by the coaches and certain political elements which they have to resist.

"On one hand I'm all for international football - but it doesn't make any sense to take them because they can't play. I don't understand that at all."

Reid, who has been suffering with a back spasm could make his return to West Ham's first team against Southampton at the Boleyn Ground on Saturday - despite having undertaken a mammoth 48-hour flight this week.

Should the in-form centre half not be considered fit to play, James Tomkins is on standby to deputise.

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