Cisse: I didn't mean to be rude
Liverpool striker Djibril Cisse has apologised for his controversial behaviour after scoring his side’s third goal from the spot at Newcastle, insisting he did not mean to be “disrespectful” to the home fans.
Reds boss Rafael Benitez took time off from preparing for the FA Cup quarter-final at Birmingham to defend his errant Frenchman, insisting his reaction to crowd abuse at St James’ Park was not a “serious” incident.
Cisse himself formally apologised for his indiscretion and insisted he had not meant to be “disrespectful” to the Magpies fans.
“I didn’t intend to be rude,” he told the club’s website, liverpoolfc.tv.
“I was just really happy to score a goal after such a long time because scoring goals is what I love doing. I want to make it clear I respect the Newcastle supporters and if they thought I was being disrespectful to them, then I obviously apologise for that.
“Like all the strikers at the club, I have been desperate to find the net again and when the penalty went in, I was absolutely delighted. But, if my celebrations appeared disrespectful, that certainly was not my intention.”
