AS Roma defender Christian Panucci has apologised to the fans and his team-mates for his actions which led to him nearly walking out on the club in the winter transfer market.
The 35-year-old was heavily fined after he refused to sit on the bench for Roma's 3-0 win over Napoli and watched the match from the stands instead.
Panucci, whose current contract is set to run out at the end of the current campaign, further angered the club when he announced that same evening that it was the end for him at the capital club.
However, no deal materialised in spite of interest from Hull and Torino and Panucci has accepted that he is stuck at the Stadio Olimpico until the end of the season at least.
He told ANSA: "I publically apologise to the fans, the club and my team-mates.
"I would like to thank the fans and my team-mates have remained close to me, but I don't want to excuse my responsibility or find justifications for my mistake.
"As I have always done in my life, I will assume my responsibility and make myself available to the team and the coaching staff till the end of the season.
"In regards to my statements with which I expressed the desire to leave I want to point out that they were said in the excessive heat of the moment.
"I have been at Roma for eight years and I would be honoured to remain here until the end."
Interestingly, Panucci never mentioned Roma coach Luciano Spalletti by name during his apology and the relationship between the two men may be irreparably damaged.
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The 35-year-old was heavily fined after he refused to sit on the bench for Roma's 3-0 win over Napoli and watched the match from the stands instead.
Panucci, whose current contract is set to run out at the end of the current campaign, further angered the club when he announced that same evening that it was the end for him at the capital club.
However, no deal materialised in spite of interest from Hull and Torino and Panucci has accepted that he is stuck at the Stadio Olimpico until the end of the season at least.
He told ANSA: "I publically apologise to the fans, the club and my team-mates.
"I would like to thank the fans and my team-mates have remained close to me, but I don't want to excuse my responsibility or find justifications for my mistake.
"As I have always done in my life, I will assume my responsibility and make myself available to the team and the coaching staff till the end of the season.
"In regards to my statements with which I expressed the desire to leave I want to point out that they were said in the excessive heat of the moment.
"I have been at Roma for eight years and I would be honoured to remain here until the end."
Interestingly, Panucci never mentioned Roma coach Luciano Spalletti by name during his apology and the relationship between the two men may be irreparably damaged.
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