Cissé issues apology for 'reaction' to Newcastle fans' taunts

Djibril Cissé has issued an apology, through the Liverpool manager, Rafael Benitez, for his behaviour after scoring his side's third goal from the penalty spot at Newcastle on Saturday.

Benitez insisted the Frenchman's reaction to crowd abuse at St James' Park was not a "serious" incident. Cissé was booked for pulling his shirt over his head after his successful penalty, to reveal a message written on his vest to his wife and new son, and then was caught on camera gesturing to Newcastle fans who were taunting him.

"I told him during the game to calm down, and at the end we also talked," Benitez said. "The message on his shirt was for his young son and his family, and he has told me that he wishes to say sorry to the Newcastle fans. He hopes it is not a problem. I do not think there will be any further action. It was not a serious incident."

Benitez added: "For him it was really important to score. He had been under a lot of pressure, and maybe his reaction was understandable, after the celebrations. He was just sorry about what happened.

"Raising his shirt showed a message to his family. Maybe it was a bad reaction afterwards but it was a moment in which he was under pressure and he regrets it."