Soccer: Foxe apologises after party incident

Shamed West Ham star Hayden Foxe has apologised to the club and his team-mates after an incident during the players’ Christmas party.

The Australian international last week became the latest player to damage the image of football when he decided to relieve himself in public during the Hammers’ Christmas bash.

And now, speaking for the first time about the incident, the 24-year-old defender has told of his regret over the incident.

‘‘There were no fights or yelling of abuse or anything,’’ he said.

‘‘What I did was wrong and got blown right out of proportion as if it was a huge, huge event.

‘‘You do have a few drinks at your Christmas party - and I’m not saying that to promote drinking, but it was a case of the lads enjoying themselves.

‘‘Some people are taking it light-heartedly and some are taking it the other way. I can’t turn back the clock even though it’s something I’m definitely not proud of.

‘‘I apologised to the club and the players - and of course it embarrassed my family because it got back to Australia as well.’’

Sydney-born Foxe also pledged to stick up for his team-mates if they are ever involved in a fight.

He added, on whufc.co.uk: ‘‘If a mate of mine gets kicked or punched you want to stick up for them and work harder for them that’s normal.

‘‘The spotlight is on, especially at Christmas time, about what the lads are doing. I regret it and want to forget it now and get on with it.

‘‘People always want a story as there is so much publicity about the game. You hear a lot about Christmas parties and people getting sent off.’’

Foxe also insisted he would continue to battle for his place in manager Glenn Roeder’s first-choice line-up.

‘‘I’m not going anywhere,’’ he said.

‘‘All the boys have been really good to me and stuck by me. There is a really good team comradeship here.

‘‘The boys enjoy themselves on and off the field and we are all mates. That’s one of the important factors in a team.’’