England Under-21 star Hamza Choudhury issues grovelling apology for red card against France and admits ‘I let the country down’
HAMZA CHOUDHURY apologised for his reckless red card for England at the Under-21 Euros and admitted: “I have let the country down.”
The Leicester star insisted the dismissal is the worst moment of his career.
Choudhury was sent off in the 63rd minute of the Young Lions Group C opener against France in Cesena last night for a crude lunge on Jonathan Bamba.
Serbian ref Srdjan Jovanovic initially showed the England midfielder a yellow card before raising it to a straight red after reviewing it with the VAR.
Houssem Aouar missed the resulting penalty - France’s second spot kick miss of the match.
But England, leading 1-0 through Phil Foden’s superb solo goal, could not hang on for a victory that would have put them in control of the group.
And France snatched the points thanks Jonathan Ikone’s 90th-minute equaliser and a farcial stoppage-time own goal by Crystal Palace’s Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
Young Lions boss Aidy Boothroyd admitted Choudhury’s sending off changed the game after Les Bleus ace Bamba was carried off on a stretcher and taken to hospital by ambulance for X-rays on his leg injured by the rash challenge.
Thankfully the Lille star is not thought to have suffered any serious damage.
Choudhury, to his credit, insisted on coming out and speaking with reporters afterwards to apologise publicly for his moment of madness.
The star, who had played brilliantly until then, said: “I can remember that the ball was there to be won but, honestly, watching back it looked like I was over aggressive.
“It wasn’t malicious and I didn’t want to hurt him whatsoever. I saw the ball and tried to take it but I mistimed it.
“I don’t think I have ever felt worse in my footballing career so far than I do right now. I have let the lads down, I have let the country down.
“I understand playing at this level comes with a certain pressure.”
Choudhury, still only 21, has vowed to learn from his mistake.
He said: “Of course, of course. I will go back and think about it and the next time I get in that situation, I won’t make that tackle.
“Right now, I am just upset and I feel like I have let the side down.”
LET THEM DOWN
Choudhury also apologised to his team-mates in the England U-21 dressing room after the match.
He revealed: “The lads were brilliant, to be honest. They came and they picked me up off the floor. They took me into the showers and told me to keep my head up.
“But right now, I can’t. I just can’t. It’s a really difficult time.
“I just wanted to let everyone know that I know I have let them down. I just want to get that message out there and really apologise.”
Choudhury will now be banned for England’s second group game against Romania in Cesena on Friday.
Uefa may extend the suspension meaning he could also miss the Croatia clash in San Marino on Monday - Choudhury will find out the decision on Friday.
The Young Lions will now have to win both, and probably by handsome margins, to stand any chance of reaching the semi-final.
Only the three group winners and the best runners-up will go through to the last four.
England’s chances of progressing are slim following their shattering defeat by France.
But bad-boy Choudhury is refusing to throw in the towel.
He said: “Of course we can stay in this tournament – of course.
Most read in football
“The group of lads that we have got in there, I think, are the best in the tournament.
“I think we will go on and I think we will get six points.
“That is our aim and we will see if we can progress to the semi-finals.”
