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Cole issues double apology

Other News Materials 21 March 2008 02:07 (UTC +04:00)

( 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."

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