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Boban Grncharov horror tackle on Shane Long (Republic of Ireland-Macedonia)

We have seen some pretty horrific challenges over the past year or so but Boban Grncharov’s assault on Shane Long in Republic of Ireland’s 2-1 win over Macedonia on Sunday night may well have been the worst of the lot.

In comparison, challenges like Nigel De Jong on Xabi Alonso in the 2010 World Cup final or Jamie Carragher’s recent assault on Nani don’t really come close to the brutality of Grncharov’s flying kung-fu kick to the head.

It came in the 50th minute of the Euro 2012 qualifier. The Macedonia number 15 who plays his club football for APOEL in Cyprus flew in boot first on a high ball that Shane Long just got his head to seconds before Grncharov’s boot came smashing into the side of his head.

The replays do not make good viewing for Grncharov and it is a surprise that substitute Shane Long was able to stay on the field and did not suffer serious injury.

Incredibly, Hungarian referee Istvan Vad only viewed this as a yellow card offence. Which is quite simply a crazy decision.