De Rossi sorry for red card
Daniele De Rossi has apologised for his sending off in Italy's 1-1 draw with USA.
Daniele De Rossi has apologised for his sending off in Italy's 1-1 draw with USA.
The Azzurri midfielder was dismissed during the first half of Saturday's game in Kaiserslautern after elbowing Brian McBride.
The USA striker required stitches to fix the damage caused by De Rossi's challenge, which brought the first of three red cards in the Group E stalemate.
Fifa are now deliberating over the length of De Rossi's ban, which could rule the Roma ace out of the rest of the World Cup.
De Rossi has apologised for his indiscretion and insists he did not deliberately aim to injure veteran forward McBride.
"I'm sorry for me, for the team and for the supporters," said De Rossi.
"I apologise.
"I hadn't the intention to hurt that guy. I've spoken with him, too.
"Now I hope the ban won't be too heavy, but I don't really know."
Following De Rossi's sending off, USA had Pablo Mastroeni and Eddie Pope dismissed in a full-blooded encounter.
With De Rossi certain to miss at least the final group game against Czech Republic, Gennaro Gattuso is likely to come into the starting line-up after an impressive substitute outing against USA.
