LONDON // The Stoke City striker Ricardo Fuller said that his sending off for slapping teammate Andy Griffin against West Ham United on Sunday was a result of the club captain "disrespecting" him during a row over the conceding of a goal. The unusual incident happened after Griffin was at fault for West Ham's equaliser in the Premier League game, which the London club went on to win 2-1 with an 87th-minute winner.
"I simply said to Griff 'clear the ball out' and he was very rude and disrespectful," Fuller told Sky Sports News. "What he said was bad but what I did was worse and I'm probably going to be suspended for three or four games." The two players argued as Stoke prepared to restart the game after Carlton Cole's 51st-minute equaliser and Fuller had to be restrained after slapping Griffin, before being sent off for violent conduct.
"I feel bad, knowing I cost my team some points. I'm sorry for the fans and hope it never happens again," said the Jamaican international striker, who could be shown the door if Stoke impose a draconian punishment. "It's up to the club. I give my all to Stoke, maybe I give too much and maybe that's why I'm in this position," Fuller added. *Reuters