Chelsea striker Samuel Eto'o has admitted that he should have been given a red card for the high challenge on Jordan Henderson in Sunday's 2-1 win over Liverpool.
The Cameroon international appeared to rake his studs down Henderson's knee early on in the game, though referee Howard Webb did not show a card.
The 32-year-old, who scored the winner in the first half, has now conceded that he deserved punishment for the challenge and apologised to Henderson.
"Maybe I should have been sent off. But I'm not the referee," Eto'o told The Sun. "Everyone is entitled to their opinion but we must respect the decisions from the officials.
"During the match in the first moments, the game was passionate on both sides, but people know I'm not violent.
"I was really sad to see Jordan [Henderson] on the floor - I want to take this opportunity to say sorry."
Eto'o has scored five goals in 16 appearances for Chelsea this season.