Katsouranis Issues Public Apology Katsouranis apologises for his actions that led to an altercation with his fellow team-mate Luisao...

Benfica's controversial midfielder Kostas Katsouranis today apologised for his role in the incident with team-mate Luisao during a league match in Setubal. The midfielder spoke for the first time since the altercation, and guaranteed that the whole incident is water under the bridge.

Speaking at a press conference, the Greek international did his best to clear the air.

"Everyone witnessed on television what happened," he recalled. "It was a bad reaction on my part, because I am a professional and these things must not happen. I have never seen a red card in my entire career, but it was still a horrible attitude to have.

"Incidents like this happen during training many, many times, but during a match is must not happen as everybody is watching. For me the matter has been dealt with, and life goes on."

Katsouranis continued by re-assuring that he is happy at the club, and that he has resolved his issues with Luisao.

"I am happy, I have a contract, am a professional, and will give 100% to the team," he said.

"From this moment forward you will see this reflected in my game. Everything is fine with Luisao, we spoke after the match in Setubal, and the problem ended there.

"But as you know, I made a second mistake (arriving late from holiday), and for that reason I was dropped for 10 days" he explained.

Despite only returning to training today, the midfielder has been training at home and is therefore an option for the game on Saturday in the Portuguese Cup versus Feirense.

After the incident with Luisao, where both players traded insults and pushed each other, it was heavily reported that Katsouranis would be leaving the club in the winter transfer window.

However, it was revealed yesterday that Benfica had rejected offers from abroad for the player, and that he would be remaining at the club until at least the summer.

Katsouranis' words will provide further encouragement to Benfica fans, particularly given the Greek internationals importance to the club since his arrival in 2006, as it now looks like the controversial actions of the midfielder have been dealt with and that the club and player can move forward.