Valencia defender David Navarro apologized for his part in the mass brawl which occurred in the dying seconds of his side's clash against Inter Milan in the UEFA Champions League. The 26-year-old, who was on the substitutes' bench, rushed into the pitch and punched Inter Milan midfielder Nicolas Burdisso as the Argentinean suffered a broken nose. "I saw that they were trying to attack one of my teammates and I lost my nerve," Navarro was quoted as saying by Calcio Italia magazine on Wednesday. "I have never done anything like this before and I will never do it again. I am very sorry and ashamed." The Spanish defender revealed his intention to contact Burdisso and apologize for his shameful behavior. "I have not seen the television images or the reaction of the Inter players in our dressing room, I was in another room, but my teammates told me what happened."
The scuffle "It was a very unpleasant situation, I want to apologize to all those who have been affected by my actions," he added. Inter boss Roberto Mancini took a swipe at Navarro, branding him a 'coward'. "I didn't see anything because I was the first person on my way back to the dressing room. The boys told me what had happened after," the Italian coach told Sky Italia. "Now I have seen the footage, I can say that the Valencia player is a coward. There's nothing else you can say about someone who throws a punch like that then runs away." European governing body UEFA announced that they have opened an investigation for the incidents and that a decision is likely to be taken on the 14th of March. Inter president Massimo Moratti said the club will wait for UEFA's verdict and won't take any further action.
