Mihajlovic not so sorry about spats

Lazio defender Sinisa Mihajlovic hit out at Chelsea striker Adrian Mutu and Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira today as he was forced into a grudging apology for his spitting antics.

Mihajlovic begins his eight-match ban tonight when he misses Lazio's Champions League match against Besiktas in Rome, but although he said sorry to his club for being sent off against Chelsea, he criticised Mutu and Vieira.

He was banned for two matches by UEFA three years ago for racially abusing Vieira during a Champions League match and earned his present ban for spitting at Mutu during Chelsea's 4-0 win in Rome earlier this month.

The Serbo- Montenegrin defender said: "I apologise to my team-mates, to the coach (Roberto Mancini) and the club for being sent off against Chelsea, which clearly influenced the final result. Children should not use my behaviour that night as an example.

"But I want to clarify that if I had such a reaction it was due to the fact that I was provoked in an undignified way. That is why, just as it had occurred with Vieira, I have not apologised to Mutu. I'm sorry that the TV replay condemned only me, when there were also images that showed what I had to put up with."

After the game, Mutu said: "Mihajlovic was trying to play mind games and lost those as well. He should concentrate on football as he needs to improve.