( dpa ) - Chelsea defender Ashley Cole apologized Thursday for his reckless challenge on Alan Hutton during his side's 4-4 draw with Tottenham on Wednesday, and also for his reaction when he was subsequently booked by referee Mike Riley.
"I'd like to apologize to anyone I offended and of course Alan Hutton who I tackled," Cole said.
"I didn't mean to go in hard that way. It was high but I tried to read the ball and get the ball first, but he was a little bit too quick for me.
"It wasn't malicious and I'm a little disappointed with what people are saying, that I meant it.
"Of course it was a bad tackle at the time but in the heat of the moment you want to win the game and win every tackle, and as I said I'm sorry for Alan, but it was never meant."
Cole then turned his back on Riley as he booked him for a challenge many believed should have brought a red card.
"I'm an emotional person, things can happen on the pitch very quickly but I didn't mean to disrespect the referee," he told Chelsea TV.
"I recognize this is a part of my game that I need to work on and control."