Aston Villa striker Dion Dublin has apologised to his team-mates and manager Graham Taylor for being sent off after head-butting Birmingham midfielder Robbie Savage in last night's derby defeat.
And the former England player quickly dispelled speculation that he had been provoked by racist remarks from Savage and insisted: "That is completely untrue."
The normally placid Dublin was given his marching orders five minutes into the second half after an incident which was sparked by his late tackle on Savage.
The Blues midfielder reacted angrily but it was still a surprise when he was headbutted by the 33-year-old Dublin.
He said: "What was said is irrelevant. My actions were wrong. It was the wrong reaction.
"I am ashamed of what I have done. I've let the players, the manager and staff down - and most importantly I have let myself down.
"I called a meeting of my team-mates this morning and said sorry to them. I wanted to say sorry to their faces.
"I have never done anything like that in my career before. Where it came from, I just don't know. I just don't know why I reacted like that.
"Possibly it was partly frustration but I have got no explanation for my actions. But it won't happen again."
Dublin appeared to mouth the word "cheat" towards the television cameras as he came off the pitch.
But he admitted today: "I didn't really know what I was saying at that stage. I was so angry with myself just for letting myself down.
"But I can clear up the fact there was no racial element at all to this incident. Words are exchanged in football in the heat of the moment. But I should not have reacted that way."
Taylor confirmed that he would be taking disciplinary action against Dublin who is likely to be fined two weeks' wages in addition to having to serve a three-match suspension.
The Villa chief also admitted that midfielder Joey Gudjonsson was "fortunate" not to have been given a straight red card for the challenge on Matthew Upson.
The Icelandic midfielder instead collected a second yellow card for the challenge which means he will have to serve only a one-game suspension rather than three matches.
Goals from Stan Lazaridis and Geoff Horsfield earned Blues a 2-0 victory and enabled them to complete a Second City double.