Norris denies gesture

Ipswich midfielder claims celebration has been misinterpreted

Last updated: 10th November 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Norris denies gesture

Norris: Apology

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Ipswich midfielder David Norris has denied making a handcuff gesture in his goal celebrations at the weekend.

After scoring at Bloomfield Road on Saturday, Norris appeared to make the gesture in support of his jailed former Plymouth team-mate Luke McCormick.

McCormick is serving seven years and four months for causing the deaths of Arron Peak, 10, and his brother Ben, eight, in a car accident when he was under the influence of alcohol earlier this summer on his way home from Norris' wedding.

The boys' mother Amanda Peak has since spoken of the hurt she felt upon seeing Norris' celebration, while Ipswich responded by fining the player and warning him of his future conduct.

Norris has now though claimed his celebration has been misinterpreted and that it was not a handcuff gesture or personal message to McCormick.

Wholehearted apology

"Further to the club statement earlier today I would like to reiterate my wholehearted apology for the upset my goal celebration at Blackpool has caused," read a statement by Norris released on the club's official website.

"I would like to stress that I made no handcuff gesture or personal message to Luke McCormick. I can now see how my actions have been misinterpreted and for that and any distress that this has caused the Peak family I am truly sorry. I would never act so insensitively after such a tragedy.

"When I woke up this morning to the media coverage's interpretation of the celebration, I was obviously very upset. People who know me know I'm a decent family man and I would never do anything intentionally to upset another family.

"I have heard the comments from the Peak family since the club issued a statement and I would like to thank them for their understanding.

"I will be contacting the family in the near future to speak to them personally and I would also like to apologise to Ipswich Town Football Club for the embarrassment caused."