Why keeping Bale out of action makes good sense for Tottenham

Maybe it's the frightful state of the pitch at Hong Kong Stadium that understandably had the bosses at Tottenham spooked. Or perhaps Gareth Bale truly does have an injury.

Whatever the reason right now, I am tempted to believe that, with talk of a massive transfer fee offer in the range of £81 million (HK$967 million) from Real Madrid for the Spurs star winger, the last place we would see him would be on the sand box masquerading as a grass pitch for their third-place match against South China in the Barclay's Asia Trophy last night.

Reports are that he suffered a knock in training, a slight pulled muscle, which, if true, would seem to be a convenient injury.

And you can hardly blame the London club for being overprotective with not only their best player but by far their most valued asset.

The real losers here though are the fans of Hong Kong, many who put up their hard-earned money in hopes of seeing the Professional Football Association's player of the year.

After all, it is Bale's likeness on the posters for the event as well as on the cover of the programme. American Clint Dempsey might have a few fans and Jermain Defoe's number 18 kit could be seen throughout the stadium.