Euro 2012: France midfielder Samir Nasri 'regrets' rant at journalist

France's Samir Nasri has apologised for his rant at a journalist.
Photograph: Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Sportsphoto Ltd./Allstar

• Nasri comments on incident which could lead to lengthy ban• 'This is a personal matter between me and a few journalists'

-The Guardian

The Manchester City midfielder Samir Nasri, facing a potentially long ban from the France team after a foul-mouthed outburst at a journalist, has expressed his "sincere regret" over the incident.Nasri, 25, was twice involved in controversial incidents with reporters; first in celebrating his goal against England by shouting "shut your face" at a L'Equipe journalist, then by swearing at another reporter following France's quarter-final defeat to Spain, and challenging him to a fight.With the French Football Federation considering disciplinary action, which L'Equipe claims could be as serious as a two-year ban, Nasri took to Twitter to explain his position.

He wrote: "Too many untruths circulating at the moment. The fans and especially the children know that I sincerely regret that my words could have shocked them. I love the EDF [the France team], football and I have deep respect for the public."As for the rest, this is a personal matter between me and a few journalists. I will explain when the time comes." Following the incident, the federation president Noël le Graët described Nasri's behaviour as "intolerable", adding: "Samir is on the edge, he wants to do well, but he cannot control his impulses."