Jamie O'Hara has defended Portsmouth teammate Kevin-Prince Boateng over his tackle on Chelsea's Michael Ballack in Saturday's FA Cup final.
It has since been confirmed that the German midfielder will take no part in this summer's World Cup after damaging his ankle.
Conspiracy theorists have suggested that Pompey midfielder Boateng, who is set to face Germany in South Africa after being called upon by Ghana, intentionally set to injure Ballack.
O'Hara, whose loan from Tottenham is now over, insists: "It was a clumsy tackle and no-one likes to see a player miss out on a World Cup but I know Kev, he is one of my best friends, and he is not that type of person.
"He would never go in to hurt someone and he was gutted after the game because he was looking forward to playing against Ballack at the World Cup. He said to me that he is a great player.
"He obviously missed a penalty and he was gutted, he was sobbing and I really felt for him. The tackle upset him as well, but hopefully he can pick himself up for the World Cup.
"He is a great footballer and he has had a great season and I have never seen him go in for a tackle like that so I think it was just a clumsy one from him. I know for sure he didn't mean it."
