The Newcastle centre back Mike Williamson has apologised for getting sent off during his team’s 3-0 defeat at Leicester City on Saturday and denied the suggestion that he deliberately sought the red card.
Newcastle’s manager John Carver was incensed by Williamson’s foul on Jamie Vardy, which came when the defender was already on a yellow card and the ball was off the pitch. After the match Carver wondered aloud whether Williamson had got sent off on purpose and looked for “an easy way out” of Newcastle’s battle against relegation. On Sunday, Williamson issued a statement to give his version of events, pointedly making no reference to Carver.
“I would like to take this opportunity to apologise to the Newcastle United supporters and my fellow team-mates for getting sent-off during yesterday’s game,” said the 31-year-old, who will be suspended for two of Newcastle’s remaining three matches.
“There was absolutely no intent to hurt Jamie [Vardy] or get sent off, but I recognise that I should have been more composed and measured in my determination to win the ball. Unfortunately, it did the one thing that I never wanted to do, and that was to hurt the team.
“Moving forward, I will do whatever I can to help my team-mates prepare for the next two games and fight to get back into the team when I’m next available. I’ve had the honour to play for Newcastle United for five years now, and I can genuinely say that I feel privileged to play for this football club. I would never do anything intentionally to hurt the team or its supporters.”
