Dinamo Moscow's Socceroo Luke Wilkshire apologises for tunnel fracas

$Dinamo Moscow's Socceroo Luke Wilkshire apologises for tunnel fracas$

Dinamo Moscow's Socceroo Luke Wilkshire apologises for tunnel fracas

11/05/2012 11:51:00 AM

The Australia international reportedly initiated a fight with two opposing players after the Russian Cup final, despite not featuring in the game due to injury

Australia international Luke Wilkshire has apologised for an off-field incident following the Russian Cup final.

Wilkshire had failed a late fitness test before his Russian club Dinamo Moscow's 1-0 loss to Rubin Kazan on Wednesday.

But despite missing the match, the Socceroos utility - one of his country's most dependable players in the last few years - allegedly attacked Rubin's goalscorer Roman Eremenko after the match had finished, while he was also reported to have been involved in an altercation with Eremenko's team-mate Cesar Navas.

"I was walking along when someone behind me grabbed my neck," Eremenko told Russian website Tatsport.

"Turning, I saw that it was Wilkshire. He conducted himself inappropriately, it seemed to me that he was drunk. It was unpleasant. I did not expect this from him."

A Rubin spokesman also confirmed the incident had taken place.

Wilkshire later issued an apology, which appeared on the Dinamo website on Thursday.

"In the area under the stands, a small incident happened, which I regret," he said.

"It's a personal conflict between me and Roman Eremenko, the reasons for which the Rubin midfielder knows well.

"I offer my sincere apologies to Roman Eremenko and to all representatives of the Rubin [Kazan] football club."

Wilkshire, who has also played for Middlesbrough and FC Twente throughout his career, has made 66 appearances for Australia.