James Maddison has apologised after the Leicester City playmaker was sent off for diving in his side's 1-1 draw at Brighton.
Maddison was shown a second yellow card by referee Chris Kavanagh when he went down under little contact inside the Brighton box just 28 minutes at the Amex Stadium.
There were just two minutes and four seconds between his first and second yellow cards having earlier been booked for a cynical foul on former Leicester winger Anthony Knockaert.
'Apologies to everyone for what happened today,' said Maddison on Instagram. 'Nobody wants to see diving in our beautiful game. I was anticipating contact that never came, but that's no excuse.
'It's a mistake and I will learn from it. Lads showed fantastic fight and determination to get us back in the game and go home with a more than deserved point.'
Claude Puel's 10-man Leicester battled back after Glenn Murray's opening goal – his seventh of the season – had given Brighton a half-time lead.
Jamie Vardy, who had started on the bench for Leicester, came on to score from the penalty spot and earn Leicester a point.
Maddison's red card was Leicester's fourth this season – twice as many as any other side. Since Puel took over in October 2017, Leicester have received nine red cards with Huddersfield and Watford closest behind them on just four.
'It is our fourth sending off,' said Leicester boss Puel, who said he would speak to Maddison about his sending off. 'That is a lot and we have to manage better our attitude and our games.
'Sometimes it is our fault and other times I think it is a bad decision. Sometimes yellow cards for Wes Morgan (who has been sent off twice this season) were not good.
'For me they were bad decisions, but we have to manage better when we have a yellow card and manage better our tackles and desire without taking another yellow card because after it is always difficult for the team.
'It was difficult of course to accept two yellow cards in three minutes and the sending off put us in difficulties, but I have to review the replay about the first and second yellow cards, and then we discuss with Maddie.
'Maddison, perhaps he deserved a sending off, but I will watch the replay.'
Maddison, whose impressive start to his first season in the Premier League since his £22m summer move from Norwich, will miss the rescheduled Carabao Cup clash with Southampton on Tuesday night but be eligible to play Leicester's next Premier League match against Watford next weekend.
Cristiankish
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He should pass this on to his team mate who dived and won the penalty Leicester equalised from. Poor officiating again in the premier league
Ocioso
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Another sewer R A T tainting the game
Salario
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He's young he will learn .... how to do it better ( sterling)
retirement
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That excuse won't cut it - I know. I told my boss I was "anticipating a sickness" last week and he wouldn't have it.
Abdullahs
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I look at it this way. Five dives for penalties could be the difference between drawing and winning, so could gain you 10 points. At worst, 5 dives will get you five yellow cards and a one match ban. So 10 points against risking a 1 game ban, players will take the risk every time. Until there is REAL punishment for this it will continue.
Pinocchi
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No one wants to see diving says the guy who dived!!!!!! His apology is as pathetic as the dive. He looked like he could maybe an England regular but will now only be remembered as a cheat. It will be interesting to see how he reacts next time someone makes contact with him. He also needs to remember that football is not a non contact sport...........yet.
Waynens
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He owned up - will take the punishment - move on. Better than him saying nothing
halamardi
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Three match automatic ban should follow to eradicate cheating like this
iodines
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Leicester should fine him the maximum fee they can. Cheating should not be tolerated.
Elismer
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No one likes cheats,or sore losers. Take note Maureen.