Da Silva has said he “swears on my son’s life that Jim Crowley started the fight” following Goodwood fracas
Da Silva has said he "swears on my son's life that Jim started the fight."
THE war of words between Jim Crowley and Raul da Silva shows no sign of let up from either side.
Da Silva has said again that he did not instigate the fight at Goodwood on Sunday and denied using a piece of lead to strike the former champion jockey in the weighing room.
Da Silva admitted to hitting Crowley, but claimed he did not instigate what happened at Goodwood between the two jockeys.
He told Press Association Sport: "I did not use any lead. I had nothing in my hand.
"If I had, he wouldn't have carried on riding because lead is heavy. If I had something in my hand he would have lost some teeth.
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"If I'd hit him with lead, why not get the police involved? Everyone took his side and I was there with nobody.
"I will swear on my son's life that Jim started the fight.
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"I like to be friends with everybody, I don't want to start trouble. It's difficult for me now. I'm not allowed to go racing for a long time, it's not fair."
The Paul Cole yard today backed jockey de Silva and said he would continue to ride out for them and would have opportunities when he returned from his 21-day ban.
Crowley, who required medical treatment in hospital for facial injuries, said that allegations from Da Silva that he instigated the altercation at Goodwood on Sunday were "categorically untrue".