Wayne Rooney has admitted he was wrong to swear into a TV camera.
After starring in Manchester United's Champions League triumph over Chelsea, Rooney must now sit out Saturday's FA Cup semi-final clash with Manchester City.
It is the second – and by far the most high-profile – part of a two-match suspension imposed by the English Football Association for an unprompted four-letter reaction to scoring a hat-trick in the 4-2 win at West Ham.
Although Rooney has previously made it clear he feels victimised for the punishment, the 25-year-old, who was helping turn round a two-goal deficit into what is likely to become one of the pivotal days in the Premier League title battle, accepts his conduct was unacceptable.
"I didn't realise what I'd done, it was just emotions. It was a release of scoring the three goals to get us back in the game," he said.
"As soon as I realised after the game I apologised as soon as I could.
"Of course it was wrong of me to do but I accept my punishment and you just have to move on. Hopefully the boys can pull through for me on Saturday and hopefully get to that FA Cup final."
Rooney has shown he has not been affected from the furore, turning in a couple of outstanding performances as United secured a semi-final slot in Europe's number one competition.
However, he was bewildered at the storm created by a parting of the ways with former sponsors Coca-Cola, which actually took place last year.
"It makes me laugh," he said. "I spoke with Coke towards the end of last season about signing a new deal and with the Olympics coming up they wanted a bit more of my time to do more commercial appearances. I just didn't have the time to do it.
"This all happened at the end of last season so I haven't been with Coca-Cola since 2010 but it's only just come out now.
"It makes me laugh when people say I have been dropped by them."
