Itandje issues apology

Liverpool reserve goalkeeper Charles Itandje today apologised for his behaviour during Wednesday’s Hillsborough service.

The 26-year-old Frenchman has been suspended by the Barclays Premier League club for 14 days while his conduct during the service at Anfield is investigated.

Itandje was instructed by manager Rafael Benitez not to attend training yesterday after television footage appeared to show the player laughing during the service to remember the 96 people who died at the FA Cup semi-final clash between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest on April 15, 1989.

Within hours of being suspended Itandje issued a public apology in an interview with the Liverpool Echo newspaper, during which he revealed he hopes to speak with the some of the families affected by the disaster.

“First of all, if my behaviour has caused offence to anyone then I can only apologise,” Itandje said.

“I am sorry. I am sorry. I am sorry. A thousand times, I am sorry.

“To the club, to the fans and especially to the families, I am deeply sorry.

“It was, of course, never my intention to offend or disrespect anyone.

“The events at Hillsborough were a tragedy and in no way did I mean to disrespect the memory of what happened 20 years ago. I would never do that.

“I would like to speak to the families in person to offer my apologies to them because, like I said, I never meant to hurt anyone.”