Not all footballers are thugs like Marlon King, says Harry Redknapp

Harry Redknapp has launched a passionate defence of English football after its image was tarnished this week by Marlon King.

The Spurs boss said: “What can you do? How can you expect someone to punch a girl in the face?

“I couldn't punch a bloke in the face. I wouldn't have to say to players, 'Don't bash a woman up' because it wouldn't even enter my mind that they would do it. I don't want them drinking or in the clubs but this is a one-off thing.

“Footballers don’t behave that way and King obviously needs a bit of help now.”

Wigan have already moved swiftly to sack King and Redknapp – whose team face Arsenal this lunchtime – has hit out at claims that the 29-year-old’s behaviour is stereotypical of Premier League players.

He added: “I was listening to the radio on Thursday night and they were talking about it, saying the problem is with Premier League football.

“But this isn't Premier League football - this is one footballer. Unfortunately, incidents like that are happnening every night in every town. I have no time for it.

“It's a rare incident in terms of football and disappointing but you can't tar everyone with the same brush.

“Just because Marlon King is doing it doesn’t mean everyone does it.

“People should look at what's going on out there, it's happening everywhere.

“People are misbehaving and it's rare with footballers to be violent to girls, it's not normal. It's not about Premier League football. Unfortunately, Marlon has this kind of history before as well.”