Mike Williamson has issued an a statement apologising for his actions in Newcastle’s 3-0 defeat to Leicester City that resulted in his dismissal.
The 31-year-old was sent off for a late lunge on the Foxes’ Jamie Vardy, after the ball had already left the playing field, mid-way through the second half yesterday. Much to the disgust of interim boss John Carver who publicly accused Williamson of purposely getting sent off in order to avoid his side’s difficult relegation battle.
“I thought he’d done that on purpose – it looks like he did,” Carver said.
“The ball was off the pitch – he had no need to make the challenge. He will miss two games. Is it an easy way out?”
However, the ex-Watford centre half has insisted this isn’t the case and that he would never do anything intentionally to hurt the team, or its supporters.
Williamson said: “I would like to take this opportunity to apologise to the Newcastle United supporters and my fellow team-mates for getting sent-off during yesterday’s game.
“There was absolutely no intent to hurt Jamie or get sent-off, but I recognise that I should have been more composed and measured in my determination to win the ball.
“Unfortunately, it did the one thing that I never wanted to do, and that was to hurt the team.
“Moving forward, I will do whatever I can to help my team-mates prepare for the next two games and fight to get back into the team when I’m next available.
“I’ve had the honour to play for Newcastle United for five years now, and I can genuinely say that I feel privileged to play for this football club. I would never do anything intentionally to hurt the team or its supporters.”
