Paris-St Germain midfielder Marco Veratti admitted his naiveté when he left the UEFA Champions League in the Round of 16 with a loss back and forth against Real Madrid.
"The red card was naive, not because of a goal or a serious attack, but because I asked the German referee Felix Praise to count my offense," he said.
"I was a fan at the time, because the game was very important, and I lost my temper when the referee did not release his whistle to count my offense," the Italian added on Canal Plus.
"I have not spoken against the government in bad or offensive terms. I have asked for a count against me, but the way I spoke has not seen it properly. I have decided to give me the second yellow card, and I think his decision was correct and I hope I will not repeat what I did in the future."
The Italian star received the second yellow card in the 66th minute from the 6 March home game.
Paris St Germain lost 1-0 at Madrid in a 1-1 draw at home.