That sparked a melee with players from both teams becoming involved, and which continued in the tunnel with Inter players attempting to get into the Valencia dressing room.

Navarro, speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, said he sorely regretted his actions, and issued an apology to all involved.

“The first thing I want to do is to publicly apologise, I do not feel good about what happened last night,” the 26-year-old said.

“It was a lack of respect to everyone in football, for the fans, the club. I want to say sorry to the player involved – Burdisso.

“They are bad moments. I have never been an aggressive player, never have I been sent off for that reason and there is little I can say.

“It is not example for young players to follow.”

Navarro came onto the field following an altercation between Valencia defender Carlos Marchena and Burdisso.

Navarro then struck Burdisso, who fell to the ground with what has been confirmed as a broken nose.

“There was much tension in the final 10 minutes and lots of nerves. We were on the bench and, when we left to applaud the fans, I saw a commotion with Marchena,” Navarro said.

“The nerves seized me and what happened did not have to happen.”

The incident overshadowed what should have been a memorable night for Valencia, as they booked their place in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

Having earned a 2-2 draw from the first leg at the San Siro, the Spanish side progressed through on the away goals rule after holding Inter 0-0 in the return meeting at the Mestalla.

Navarro added: “It is a very sad day, it would have been nicer to speak about the game, of the qualification instead of this disagreeable news.

“I feel very bad, all my family are having a bad time as well, I wish that day could be erased so it did not have to exist.

“My dad is very bad, I spoke with him all night at home. I could not sleep at all and I feel very bad.”

UEFA have confirmed they will be launching an investigation into the conduct of both Valencia and Inter following the incident.

“A decision is expected at the next meeting of the UEFA disciplinary body on March 22,” a UEFA spokesman told PA Sport.

Navarro said: “It is logical that UEFA will punish me. I have to be prepared for any outcome and I want to send my apologies to UEFA, to the club and mainly to Burdisso.

“I am trying to locate Burdisso, to ask him for forgiveness, and if necessary I will go to Italy to do it in person.

“I don’t know what the club will do. What I have done is not good.”