Glenn Whelan has escaped retrospective action from the Football Association for his tackle on Javi Garcia in Stoke's 1-0 FA Cup fourth-round loss to Manchester City at the weekend.
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The Republic of Ireland international's apparent two-footed lunge on Garcia in the second-half of the clash at the Britannia Stadium went unpunished by referee Howard Webb, and was met with outrage by many of the City players and fans.
Whelan, however, has defended his challenge and says he had no intention of injuring the Spaniard.
"I've gone in for the challenge and I don't think I tried to be dirty but if it looks that way on TV then I'll have to hold my hands up. I don't think I caught him as much as he was rolling about," the 29-year-old told Sky Sports.
"It's the English game, the old-fashioned game, and that's what the Premier League is so good for.
"There is massive pressure on the referees from the media and the people they're accountable to. Hopefully it [tackling] can stay in the game and people just get on with it."
Garcia was uninjured by the tackle but City team-mate Gareth Barry believed action may be taken because of Webb's failure to see the incident.
"I think the referee said at the time - I spoke to him and he said he didn't have the right angle on it but Javi, in the changing room, said the player went in with both feet and caught his ankle so I think they showed that on TV too," the England midfielder said.
"But I don't want to speak badly against Glenn Whelan. He's a great pro and I'm sure he went for the ball."
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