Juan Arango says sorry after unsportsmanlike conduct
Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Juan Arango has apologised for his antics in their last Bundesliga game against Hoffenheim. The Venezuelan was slapped with a red card after kicking Sejad Salihovic.
"I am very sorry. I wanted to free myself from a tussle and I reacted instinctively in the wrong way. I am aware that my actions did not help Borussia," Arango said.
Borussia Monchengladbach fined the 30-year-old 20,000 euros for his unsportsmanlike conduct. The fine will go to the club's Borussia Foundation. The German Football Federation is expected to suspend Arango
for several games.
Arango's absence added to Gladbach's woes this season. Die Fohlen currently sit 15th in the table with six points from eight matches. They are just ahead of relegation-threatened Schalke, Cologne and Stuttgart.
Gladbach are hoping to improve their standing when they play fellow strugglers Werder Bremen in the coming weekend.
Born to Colombian parents in the city of Maracay, Arango is one of few Venezuelan players to make it to the first division of any major European club.
He started his professional career at the age of 16, playing for local clubs Nueva Cadiz, Zulianos and Caracas. After spending just six months in Caracas, he was bought by Mexican club Monterrey.
He also suited up for Mexican clubs Pachuca and Puebla before joining Spanish La Liga club Mallorca in 2004. Arango was reunited with Benito Floro, who coached him at Monterrey, in Mallorca.
Arango's stint with the Spanish club was marred by a serious injury when he collided with Sevilla defender Javi Navarro in March 2005. He sustained a broken cheekbone and multiple cuts in the face. Arango
returned to action a month later and ended the 2006-06 season as the club's leading scorer with 11 goals.
Mallorca sold Arango to Gladbach for 3.3 million euros in June 2009.
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