Wayne Rooney claims he did not intentionally stamp on Ricardo Carvalho. Rooney was sent off after clashing with Carvalho in England's World Cup quarter-final against Portugal on Saturday.

He made no apology but broke his silence to defend his behaviour and pay tribute to the "awesome" efforts of his team-mates in his absence.

The Manchester United striker has until Thursday to submit his version of events to Fifa's disciplinary committee, which will then decide on the length of his ban.

Rooney (20) said: "Obviously I'm bitterly disappointed to have been sent off in a World Cup finals match for England.

"I remember the incident clearly and have seen it several times since on TV. I am of the same opinion now as I was at the time that what happened didn't warrant a red card.

"If anything, I feel we should have had a free-kick for the fouls committed on me during the same incident."

Rooney was fighting hard to keep possession under pressure from several Portuguese players. Carvalho went to ground in his bid to win the ball and the England striker stepped on him, his boot landing in the defender's groin.

England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson discussed the incident with referee Horacio Elizondo after the game and did not dispute the decision.

Rooney said: "I want to say absolutely categorically that I did not intentionally put my foot down on Ricardo Carvalho.

"He slid in from behind me and unfortunately ended up in a position where my foot was inevitably going to end up as I kept my balance. That's all there was to it.

"If you ask any player - and indeed almost any fan - they will tell you that I am straight and honest in the way I play.

"From what I've seen in the World Cup, most players would have gone to ground at the slightest contact but my only thought then was to keep possession for England.

"When the referee produced the red card I was amazed - gobsmacked."

Rooney was clearly not impressed with Carvalho's over-reaction or the fact that his United team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo felt the need to pressurise on the referee.

He said: "I bear no ill feeling to Cristiano but am disappointed that he chose to get involved. I suppose I do though have to remember that on that particular occasion we were not team-mates."

England went on to draw 0-0 after extra-time but Portugal won 3-1 in the penalty shoot-out.  PA