Blackburn Rovers

Kean takes back "forfeit" comments

By Danielle Joynson, Staff Reporter | 01 December 2011

Steve Kean says that his "forfeit" comments spoken following Blackburn's exit from the Carling Cup on Tuesday were "taken out of context".

Blackburn Rovers boss Steve Kean has backtracked on his comments following their Carling Cup exit to Cardiff City.

The Scotsman appeared to suggest that the Premier League side 'forfeited' the game, causing concern that Rovers never intended to progress through the domestic competition.

"My comments at the press conference were taken out of context," Kean told the club's official website. "There is absolutely no way that we would ever consciously forfeit a game, quite the opposite. What I was trying to say was that by not winning we had forfeited an opportunity to take another step towards a Wembley final. If my explanation or wording was vague or unclear then I regret that.

"I want to stress that both of the major knockout competitions are massively important to us, but the Premier League will always be our primary objective. But I refute in the strongest possible terms any suggestion that we didn't treat the competition with due respect.

"However, I make no excuses for recognising the importance of Saturday's game with Swansea and basing my decisions accordingly - as the manager I have to assess every situation on its merits."

Meanwhile, Rovers' opponents will face Crystal Palace in the league cup semi-final while Manchester City and Liverpool also go head to head for a spot at the Wembley final.