John Paintsil

Fulham defender John Paintsil says he is sorry for his tackle on Arsenal defender Emmanuel Ebuoe that drew all round criticism recently.

The Black Stars right back caught the Ivory Coast international with a full stud challenge that left Ebuoe in pain.

But Paintsil got away for that without a card and there have been suggestions the English FA could hand out retrospective punishment on observation of the video.

Paintsil admits the tackle was bad and says he has apologized in person to the Arsenals man.

"I saw the game again and felt ashamed of the tackle," he told KickOffGhana.com. "I respect my opponents I will make sure it does not happen again."

"I spoke to Ebuoe after the game and apologized to him. I went into the tackle with no bad intention and he understood that. I am a fair minded player and will never seek to hurt someone deliberately."

That tackle threatened to obscure what has been a good two games so far for Paintsil in the Premiership this season after he left West Ham United for their London rivals Fulham.

He has been picked for both of the Cottagers two games and says he is thrilled with the way things have gone.

"Obviously it is early days but I have started well and that is important for me. The frustration was building up by the day at West Ham but I am delighted now with the way things are working out."