Zebina apologizes over finger gesture

(GSM) – Jonathan Zebina has apologized for doing a finger gesture to Juventus supporters. However, the Frenchman claims he was driven to act in an inappropriate manner at Craven Cottage.

Entering the game with a 3-1 advantage from the first leg, Juve were expected to seal their qualification to the quarter-finals with ease. But the Italians were thrashed 4-1 in an astonishing night at Craven Cottage.

A major turning point in the match was Fabio Cannavaro’s dismissal 27 minutes into the game. Zebina was also sent-off in stoppage time and as the defender walked off the pitch, he put his middle finger up at the travelling fans.

The 31-year-old apologised for that gesture but insists the fans insulted the team.

“I was insulted by about 30 hooligans and racists,” he said. “Some came right to England, travelling thousands of kilometres to insult us.

“They started to insult both me and Felipe Melo right from the warm-up and I’m fed up with this situation.

“These people have to stop it, at the end we received more applause from the Fulham fans than from our own.

“I showed the finger, I apologise because it was not a good example for kids. But I was exasperated.”

Relations between the club and its fans have deteriorated drastically this season.

In the wake of Zebina’s gesture the club has issued the following statement, “The frustration for a disappointing result doesn’t justify certain types of behaviour that leads to useless tensions and damages the image of the club.”