Nasri defended by father

France midfielder Samir Nasri ‘regrets’ his decision to swear at a journalist, according to his father.

The Manchester City player became involved in a heated exchange following France’s quarter-final loss to Spain at Euro 2012, calling one particular journalist a “son of a b**ch”, before adding: “There, now you’ll be able to say I’ve been badly brought up.”

But Nasri’s father, Abdelhamid, has insisted his son regrets the outburst.

“He has been affected. After Euro 2012 he returned to our home (and we) discussed everything. He is nervous because of this story,” he told TF1.

“He regrets (the incident) as it shocked children and some supporters.

“He is not a kind of guy who says things like this. He is a very nice boy.”

Nasri has used Twitter to apologise to his fans and the French public, but stopped short of fully retracting his comments.

“Too many false truths are circulating at the moment,” he wrote.

“I want the supporters, particularly children, to know I sincerely regret that my words could have shocked them.

“I love the French football team, football and I have a profound respect for the public.

“For the rest, it was a personal issue between me and a few journalists. I will explain myself when the moment is right.”

It has been suggested Nasri could be banned from international football for two years following his comments, but UEFA President Michel Platini played down talk of such a punishment.

“If I got suspended every time I insulted a journalist I wouldn’t have many caps,” Platini said.

“What he deserves? I have heard talk of a two-year suspension but that’s absolutely ludicrous.”