SAM Allardyce sprang to the defence of Youri Djorkaeff today, slamming Chelsea defender Celestine Babayaro for accusing the Frenchman of play-acting to get him sent off.

The Wanderers' boss was "appalled" to hear the Nigerian full-back's claim that Djorkaeff feigned injury when he went down, clutching his face, in the flashpoint of Saturday's 1-1 Premiership draw at the Reebok.

Babayaro was sent off but is appealing against the red card, protesting his innocence and accusing Djorkaeff of gamesmanship.

But Allardyce has responded angrily, insisting: "That is not in Youri's nature."

Reacting to the Chelsea man's claim, the manager said: "The video evidence quite clearly shows that Babayoro raised his elbow and made contact.

"This was conclusive on national TV, where the incident was highlighted after the game.

"Youri would not deliberately try to get a fellow professional sent off. I am appalled that Celestine Babayaro has made the accusation that Youri feigned an injury.

"I want to stress, it is not in his nature."

Djorkaeff said in an interview on this website on Monday HERE that referee Mike Dean made the correct decision and claimed Babayaro had been "stupid" to make the challenge.

But the Nigerian international insists any contact was unintentional. He said: "He's an experienced player and one who will do anything to win a game. As soon as I left the pitch he stood up and carried on with the game."

Babayaro added: "The video shows I did not intentionally elbow him. That's what he is saying, but if you look at the video you can see my eyes were on the ball.

"It was a goal-kick from Jussi Jaaskelainen and I was positioning myself to head the ball away.

"Then suddenly Djorkaeff was lying on the floor holding onto his face.

"The linesman on the left-hand side had his flag up and after a chat with the referee he decided to send me off.

"As soon as the players came back to the dressing room I said, I'm going to appeal against that. It's not on, I didn't touch him.'

"If I had touched him, he wouldn't have been able to stand up as soon as I had returned to the dressing room. He would have been lying there for a few minutes."

Wanderers gave Chelsea the match video, as they do with all visiting clubs, but are understood to have been unable to offer any additional 'in-house' footage, requested by the London club, to help in Babayaro's appeal against the red card.