Tony Adams has won the FA Cup twice in a stellar career - but he says he could not have lifted the trophy again “with a clear conscience” if our fifth-round victory over Sheffield United had been allowed to stand.
Our captain is relieved that the game will be played again at Highbury following the controversy over Marc Overmars’ winner, and believes it is simply the right thing to do.
“If all goes well, I could be picking up the FA Cup at Wembley in May,” he said. “I could not have done so with a clear conscience had the result against Sheffield United been allowed to stand. I couldn't have justified it.
“I watched the game against Sheffield United because the manager gave me a breather after a punishing schedule of matches I have had since coming back from my back injury.
“I would not have wanted us to have progressed to the sixth round on the back of the goal scored by Marc Overmars. The ball should have been returned to Sheffield United, who had put it out of play so one of their players could receive attention for an injury. It wasn't and we scored. I would not have been very happy to have won with that goal.
“No one wants to win a game in those kinds of circumstances. We all want to be successful, that is why we are in football. But not at all costs, not with a goal like the winner by Marc Overmars.
“I have spoken to Marc about it and he said that he just reacted. He wasn't concentrating on what had gone on before and just sprinted into the area to meet the cross. It was one of those things that can happen but fortunately the game is being played again. The right decision in the circumstances as far as I, and the rest of the team, are concerned.”
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