Fabian McCarthy, Amakhosi’s central defensive kingpin has come out an apologized for the red card he received against Silver Stars during the Amakhosi’s 4-2 defeat at the hands of Stars, in a PSL clash on Wednesday.

At the time McCarthy received his marching orders for a needless tug on Dingaan Masanabo’s jersey Chiefs were leading 2-1, from the resultant free kick Stars equalized and 10-man Chiefs ended up losing their first game of the 2005-2006 season, which was also Chiefs first loss in a league game since the 9th of January this year.

The sending off was Fabian’s first since 1998 the last time, he received his marching orders was when he was still with Bloemfontein Celtic’s and was sent off against Orlando Pirates in Rothmans Cup game which Celtic eventually lost 4-1.

So far this season Fabian has already served a one match ban for collecting three yellow cards, the game he had to sit out was the Coca-Cola Cup ¼ game against Cosmos which Chiefs lost 2-0 on the

6th November.

Commenting on receiving a red card during Wednesday night’s game Fabian said; “the only thing I can say is that I want to apologise to the coach, technical staff, my team mates and most importantly the supporters. I am not new to professional soccer and am aware of the rules what I did against Stars was irresponsible and I take responsibility for our defeat."

When questioned further about tugging on Masanabo’s shirt and whether he was being harsh on himself for taking the blame he said he added; "in life when you have let down people who rely on you for happiness that is the supporters and those who rely on you to play your part in a collective effort for success that is my team mates one needs to put his hands down and say I am sorry.

If I played out the game we would have won that game because we were leading and were playing good football, we could have scored another two goals and won the game comfortably."

Fabian also sent additional apologies to team manager Bobby Motaung and captain Patrick Mabedi for his red card against Silver Stars.

Coach Ernst Middendorp upon receiving Fabian’s apology said; "I accept his apology, the issue is not about apologies it is about senior players like Fabian and David Obua keeping their cool under tough situations, David lost his temper against Cosmos and it cost us dearly”.

The coach continued further by saying; "we can not deny that Fabian is an important part of the team and apart from costing us victory in this game he will be suspended for our next game as well which is not good but we will put some one else in his place and carry on the fight."

Chiefs' next game away to SuperSport United on the 27th November will be one that Fabian will have to watch from the stands and will miss out on the opportunity to dual with Super Sports lanky striker Lungisani Ndlela.

He will also be unable to face up to the trickery of his former Kaizer Chiefs and national under twenty three team mate Jabu Pule, a challenge he was looking forward to with relish.