Samuel Saiz has issued a heartfelt apology for spitting at an opponent during Leeds United’ FA Cup defeat at Newport County on Sunday – and vowed never to repeat it.
Saiz was shown a straight red card by referee Mike Dean for spitting at County’s Robbie Willmott in stoppage time at the end of Leeds’ shock 2-1 defeat at Rodney Parade.
UEFA’s rulebook punishes spitting with a mandatory six-game ban and the FA announced Saiz’s suspension on their official website.
Saiz and Leeds will not appeal his red card against Newport, which means he will be sidelined until the Championship fixture at Derby on February 20 and will miss six league games as Leeds bid to maintain their play-off challenge.
In a statement on United’s official website on Monday, Saiz said: “I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely apologise to the players, staff and supporters of Leeds United for my behaviour in yesterday’s game at Newport County AFC.
“I would also like to apologise to Newport County AFC and Robbie Willmott for my actions. I accept the punishment handed to me by The FA.
“My actions are inexcusable, I give my word to all those connected to Leeds United Football Club that I will learn from this situation and never repeat it.
“I am grateful for the support I receive from our fans and I understand that I am a role model to the next generation of Leeds supporters, I will ensure that my behaviour moving forward reflects that.”
OPINION
Saiz has done the correct thing, admitted his wrongdoing and vowed never to repeat his disgusting spitting act. His conduct was deplorable against Newport but, to his credit, he has not attempted to deny it or appeal the mandatory six-match ban. That is all well and good, but the Spaniard’s absence for the next six league matches is a hammer blow to Leeds’ promotion challenge. The playmaker is comfortably Leeds’ outstanding attacking player, and only Pontus Jansson is in the same bracket in the entire squad. Does this change United’s January signing plans? It might, as there is not the top quality back-up in the squad, as Sunday’s performance at Rodney Parade demonstrated.