West Bromwich Albion midfielder Youssouf Mulumbu: Elbowing dismissal was harsh
Albion midfielder Youssouf Mulumbu claims his red card for elbowing QPR captain Joey Barton was harsh and insists: "I never meant to hurt anyone".
Mulumbu took to Twitter to apologise to his team-mates yesterday after he was dismissed just 11 minutes after joining the game as a second-half substitute.
But he was unhappy after he caught Barton with an elbow in an aerial challenge and was sent off for violent conduct by referee Lee Probert.
"I just jumped higher than Joey Barton – I didn't even know what player it was," said Mulumbu.
"I just jumped higher than him and I didn't make any movement with my shoulder.
"I think it's harsh but that's how it is," said Mulumbu, who received support from Barton after the game.
"I don't know if we'll appeal. I will speak with the club but when you look at the video it's very harsh."
I didn't make any movement to hurt anybody so we will speak with the coach and the club and see what is the best way to sort this out."
He later tweeted: "Sorry to have let my team-mates down but an important game is coming next weekend."
Mulumbu received instant support from Barton, who cleared the Baggies defender of any suggestion of a deliberate elbow.
Barton said: "I didn't feel there was any malice."
