Gordon Taylor: 'Rio Ferdinand could have lost his eye'

Chairman of the Professional Footballers Association Gordon Taylor has insisted that something needs to be done to improve the safety of football matches.

His comments come after Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand was hit with a coin by a Manchester City fan while celebrating Robin van Persie's winning strike in their 3-2 victory at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

Taylor believes that something has to be done after the defender was lucky to escape with less severe injuries, but denies that he wants netting introduced.

"Another half-inch lower and Rio could've lost his eye. It's just not good enough, there has to be something we can do," Taylor told talkSPORT.

"While arrests have been declining, there has still been a significant number of life bans. You want football to be a safe haven for the players on the pitch and supporters.

"After Hillsborough, the last thing I want to talk about is having fans penned it. What I wanted was a way that the crucial areas [surrounding the pitch] could have a slight deterrent [for missile throwers] without affecting the views or more importantly the safety."

Ferdinand is reportedly yet to make an official complaint about the incident.