Union Berlin midfielder Macchambes Younga-Mouhani has apologized for breaking the leg of a Swedish opponent with a reckless challenge in a German second division match.
Younga-Mouhani and defender Matias Concha of Bochum went for the ball and Younga-Mouhani's outstretched right foot hit the lower right leg of Concha, breaking the tibia and fibula during Monday's match. Both coaches have said it was unintentional.
''I'd absolutely like to apologize personally to (Concha) and wish a him a good recovery,'' the 36-year-old Congolese said. ''I wish I could make this injury disappear but that's unfortunately not possible.''
Younga-Mouhani said he planned to visit Concha in hospital. The 30-year-old Swede is expected to be out of action until April.
Immediately after the game, Younga-Mouhani said he was ''really sorry.''
''That's sport, both of us wanted to get to the ball. But when you look at it like this (on video replay), it looks brutal,'' he said.
Bochum's coach Friedel Funkel described Younga-Mouhani's tackle as hard but ''he surely did not intend to injure Matias.''
Younga-Mouhani's coach Uwe Neuhaus said his player raised his foot to avoid getting hurt himself.
''It would be unfair to suggest intent. It was just very unfortunate,'' Neuhaus said.
