Premier League – Cole apologises to Hutton and Riley

Eurosport

Ashley Cole has apologised for his conduct during Chelsea’s 4-4 draw with Tottenham at White Hart Lane.

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Cole has been heavily criticised for his tackle on Spurs’ Alan Hutton, which earned him a yellow card, and for his petulant approach to referee Mike Riley, but it appears the Chelsea full-back has seen the error of his ways.

“I’d like to apologise 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.”

Despite Riley asking Cole several times to face him while being cautioned, the England international turned his back on the official and refused to cooperate.

“I’m an emotional person, things can happen on the pitch very quickly but I didn’t mean to disrespect the referee,” he said.”I recognise this is a part of my game that I need to work on and control.”