Former Crystal Palace owner Simon Jordan believes that Nottingham Forest legend Stuart Pearce 'bottled' his infamous 1990 FIFA World Cup penalty for England in their semi-final defeat against West Germany.
In a fixture most notably remembered for Paul Gascoigne's tears after he received a yellow card from referee José Roberto Wright, Pearce, despite being so often reliable from 12 yards, saw his penalty saved by Bodo Illgner as England failed to progress through to the final in heartbreaking fashion.
Whilst Chris Waddle also skyed his spot-kick over the crossbar to confirm defeat, Pearce's effort continues to live long in the memory of all involved.
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Nicknamed 'Psycho,' Pearce's siege mentality enabled him to become one of his nation's greatest defenders but Jordan believes the now 60-year-old failed to cope with the pressure involved in an all-important moment.
When asked if Pearce bottled the penalty, Jordan told talkSPORT: "Probably [Pearce bottled the penalty]. It doesn't make him a bottler, it meant he succumbed to the pressure.
"It's really easy for someone like me to say, who doesn't have to do it. But then again, I'm not a professional footballer."
Pearce did not offer a response, instead looking stone-faced in what some would translate as a sign of staunch disagreement. Nevertheless, fans have leapt to the defence of the City Ground icon, who made more than 400 appearances across 12 years with the Reds and returned as manager between 2014 and 2015.
Below is a taste of exactly what was made of Jordan's comments on social media.
@FiSpartacus - "Pearce is about as far from being a 'bottler' as you can get. Jordan owes him an apology."
@itsandyburton - "One of the most embarrassing things I’ve ever seen lads. Show the fella some respect."
@BJY_2152 - "Seriously Simon….Stuart Pearce was immense & didn’t bottle it, as a left-back he stepped up & volunteered."
@grezza2120 - "Disappointing once again. Pearce didn’t bottle it, he smashed it and the keeper guessed right. Bottling is not following through because you were frightened, missing a penalty is not bottling, not stepping up us bottling."
@unrulydooley - "How did he bottle it? He gave it his best and it didn't go in. Not like he asked not to be involved, that's bottling it."
@missemily007 - "With penalties you either score or don’t score. If he doesn’t stand up and put himself forward - then I’d say he’s bottled it."
@BenjawiBen - "Nah, he stepped up to take a penalty in a world cup semi-final shootout. That's far from bottling it. Takes some balls to step up and take one knowing you could be the difference between your country going to the final or not."
@leven_peter - "Not sure Simon is correct here …..someone who steps forward to take a penalty, especially in a huge match isn’t a bottler for me."
@JackMcM72 - "Stepping up and taking a penalty for your Country in a World Cup semi-final is far from something I would consider 'bottling it' regardless of the outcome."
@boredofsocial - "Out of order. Stuart Pearce deserves nothing but respect! Comes across as a top bloke."
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