Mori apologises to Origi, his teammates and every single Evertonian

Ramiro Funes Mori has issued a formal apology to Liverpool striker Divock Origi for his tackle on the Liverpool striker during Wednesday's Merseyside derby.

Funes Mori has also apologised to the supporters and his teammates, who were left having to play the remaining 40 minutes of the game at Anfield with 10 men.

The defender was sent off for the late challenge on Origi at the start of the second half which saw the Belgian forward leave the field on a stretcher.

It was confirmed after the game that Origi had not broken his ankle but was expected to miss the rest of the season with ligament damage.

The sending off means Argentine defender Funes Mori will serve a three-match ban including, of course, Saturday's FA Cup semi-final against Manchester United.

Less than 24 hours later Mori released a contrite statement, saying:

"I very much regret what happened yesterday. It was never my intention to harm a rival nor my colleagues leaving the field.

And regarding Divock Origi, I fervently hope it’s nothing serious and know that was never my intention to hurt. I ask my apologies for what happened."