Sylvain Distin launched a staunch defence of the art of tackling after Portsmouth clinched a place in the semi-finals of the FA Cup at Wembley.
While Sulley Muntari scored the winner from the penalty spot against hot favourites Manchester United with 13 minutes to go, Distin found himself in the eye of a storm.
The United winger felt he should have been awarded a penalty in the sixth minute when he danced into the area only for Distin to block his path.
Distin is adamant his challenge was fair.
"If every time you touch a player it is a penalty, how do you defend?" said the former Manchester City centre-half.
"This is football - it is a contact sport.
"I went shoulder to shoulder with him. I was not going to move out of the way.
"If you cannot do this and you cannot do that, then you are not able to defend."
