READING FC manager Jose Gomes is urging the Football Association to change its rules to prevent incidents like the Tyrone Mings ‘stamp’ on Nelson Oliveira happening again.

Oliveira was left with horrific facial injuries and a shattered nose after being trod on by Mings during last weekend’s 0-0 draw against Aston Villa.

The on-loan Royals striker broke his silence yesterday by dismissing suggestions it was an accident and claiming Mings knew exactly what he was doing.

Mings’ actions have been widely condemned by the football community including ex-Royals striker Dave Kitson and former Premier League and FIFA referee, Mark Halsey.

But the FA cannot hit Mings with a retrospective charge as referee Geoff Eltringham said the incident was accidental in his match report and he did not book the on-loan Bournemouth defender or even award a foul.

However, Gomes believes the health and safety of players must come first and above FA protocol.

Here is every work of Gomes’ press conference at Hogwood Park this week.

Thoughts on the Nelson Oliveira/Tyrone Mings incident:

“I must say the truth which is from the bench it didn’t look like an intentional action.

“But when I saw the video I have no doubt at all he intended to stamp on Nelson’s face.

“He broke his nose in four places and there are scars everywhere. He cannot train, he is out of the next match.

“I cannot judge the referee because, like I said, from the bench it looked an accidental action, but my point is if the FA cannot do anything because the referee saw it on the pitch.

Reading Chronicle:

Tyrone Mings and referee Geoff Eltringham call for medical assistance for a stricken Nelson Oliveira.

“The problem is the referee didn’t see it. I am sure that if the referee watched the video, the decision would be very, very tough for Mings. We cannot judge the referee, we must help the referee make a decision. How can we do it? I don’t know, but we must think about it.

“We are talking about players getting very serious injuries if nothing happens. We could be talking about an ex player if Mings’ football boots had touched Nelson’s eye, he could be blind. But nothing happens.

“I am not against the referee or the FA, I just want to protect my player because it wasn’t a football action.”

Referee Geoff Eltringham’s decision not to book Mings:

“I didn’t read the referee’s match report but he wrote what he saw. However, it was impossible for the referee to see what really happened. He didn’t mention it because he didn’t see anything.

“He saw some movements and the players touch, but he didn’t realise how dangerous Mings’ actions were. We must help these referees. How? We must think about how we can fix this problem.

“It is not fair that Nelson is out, he cannot even breathe properly, yet nothing happens to the other player. It is not fair.

“If King Salomon gives justice to this, it should be Mings cannot play until Nelson is completely ready. We will see what happens in terms of how the FA can fix this problem.”

Does the FA need to change its rules on retrospective bans?

“Our media department has a very good picture where you can clearly see Mings looks down before the stamp.

“Because the referee mentioned it in his report, everybody accepted it was unintentional. But when you look at the pictures there is no doubt he intentionally stepped on Nelson’s face.

“Only two things can happen – the FA punish Mings or, if the referee saw it and didn’t do anything, he must be punished.

“But I really believe the referee didn’t see it, he didn’t see anything strange. It was difficult for him as it was for me from the bench. In that moment we thought it was non-intentional, but when you see the pictures there is no doubt.

Reading Chronicle:

Nelson Oliveira's nose was broken in four places.

“Now nothing happens and that is not fair. Something must be done. I feel frustrated because we cannot do anything. We should look at this incident as an example for the future.”

He added: “We are talking about a Reading player here. But if we talk about a Manchester United, Arsenal or Manchester City player – would it be the same thing? The action was very ugly.

“I know Mings did not want to damage Nelson’s face in this way, but I also know he wanted to step on his face. He could have avoided him but he didn’t, so something should happen.”

Tyrone Mings received a retrospective five-match ban in 2017 for stamping on the head of ex-Manchester United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

“He is a very good player, a fast defender with very good technique and good with his head.

“We must look at what happened and ask the question. Tomorrow the same thing could happen, so how do we fix it? This is not against anyone, but we must protect players.”

Support for Nelson Oliveira:

“He deserves this. He is a great professional. He wanted to train this week and play but it is difficult now, the doctor doesn’t allow it.

Reading Chronicle:

Nelson Oliveira thanked medical staff for their help following the gory incident.

“He has suffered this season so he deserves support for the way he caught this opportunity. He is feeling at home in Reading, everybody likes him and he is grateful for the support. Now this has happened, but hopefully he will recover very soon to help us in our upcoming matches.”

Were Reading players affected by the incident?

“The players know it was intentional after looking at the pictures. If you like football or play football you don’t need to be a professional to understand it was an intentional action.

“It is clear, he looks down and could have avoided Nelson. He could have put his foot somewhere else but not, he left his foot back to touch his face.

“All the players support Nelson and the way he dealt with the situation before he went to hospital. He joked a bit about his face which helped the players not to feel too bad about his condition.”