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Strasbourg defender Yves Deroff insists the tackle that broke Adailton's shinbone on Saturday was no more than an accident.
Deroff saw red for the challenge, which left the Nancy defender writhing in pain, yet he says there was no malicious intent behind his actions.
"It was completely involuntary on my part," he explained. "When I got home I saw the images on TV and that confirmed what I already thought."
Himself a victim of a broken leg in 1999, Deroff was also able to empathise with the stricken Brazilian.
"My sending off is nothing compared to what he's going through. I know how it must be for him, and it's always horrible to experience this kind of thing.
"When I was sent off I was still thinking about when it happened to me and I didn't want to say anything."
The 27-year-old will soon get a chance to explain himself to the League's disciplinary committee, and he says that Coach Jacky Duguépéroux is fully behind him.
"He wanted me to stop feeling guilty," he declared. "We watched it two or three more times and that did me good.
"Plus he'll be coming with me to Paris to defend me. What I'm hoping for is just a one-match suspension."
Before that, though, Deroff intends to get in touch with Adailton and express his regret.
"I'm going to call him on Monday or leave him a message," he continued. "In this type of nightmare situation, he's going to need support and he's got mine."
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