Saturday's opening scorer apologises for dismissal
MARC-ANTOINE Fortune has apologised for his St Mary’s Stadium red card – and is glad it did not cost his team-mates.
The former Celtic striker netted the opener and teed up the second in Albion’s 3-0 triumph over Southampton – but was later sent off for pushing Gaston Ramirez in the face.
And the French Guyanan was quick to apologise for his actions – insisting he was pleased his dismissal did not affect the outcome of the game.
“First of all I want to apologise because I don’t usually do that,” said Fortune.
“We won 3-0 and I scored and got an assist so it was a good game for me and for West Brom, but afterwards I know everyone was talking about my red cards.
“People know I’m not a bad guy so I am really frustrated but I just reacted to what the Southampton guy did to Longy.
“He is my team-mate and I am really good friends with Longy.
“When I saw that I just reacted.
“I know it’s not a good reaction but when things like that happen, you are just angry.
“I talked to the referee and said I am not like that and it’s my first red card in four years.
“I shouldn’t have touched his head because someone told me afterwards that anything above his chest is a red card but I didn’t know that.
“I just pushed him gently.
“I didn’t punch him or give him a kick.
“I just wanted to show him that what he did wasn’t good.
“I really feel bad because I had a good game and I wanted to contribute up to the last game of the season but now I will miss out.”
“I wasn’t worried about us winning the game because I trusted my team-mates.
“We were 2-0 up at ten versus ten so I knew the guys would keep us in front but I was just worried about the sanctions.”