Liverpool's Martin Skrtel insists that his "stamp" on Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea was an "accident" despite the FA finding him guilty and banning him for three games.
The 30-year-old Slovakian, who is currently on international duty as his country prepare to play hosts to Luxembourg in a 2016 Euros qualifier on Friday, appeared to stamp on De Gea in the closing seconds of the match between Liverpool and United on Sunday.
Although the incident was missed by the referee and his officials during the match, Skrtel was charged with violent conduct by the FA, who reviewed the video footage of the incident.
The defender denied the charge, but the FA upheld their original decision, and this resulted in Skrtel being handed a three-match ban.
However, the former Zenit Petersburg defender continues to plead his innocence, insisting that his action of standing on De Gea's right shin was completely unintentional and a mere "accident."
"It feels strange because we appealed against those charges and still I was hit by a three-match ban," said Skrtel on his official website.
"I didn't want to stamp on him. It was an accident and I didn't do it on purpose. I don't feel guilty. It was a long ball and he went towards me and I wanted to jump over him. Simple as that."
Meanwhile, Liverpool midfielder Joe Allen believes he has really improved and become better when compared to the player he was during his first season at Anfield.
The 25-year-old, who following manager Brendan Rodgers from Swansea City to Liverpool in the summer of 2012, struggled to adapt during his initial days at Anfield.
However, he has been doing well of late, and Allen feels that he has matured and improved with time.
"I look back to my first season at Liverpool and I was disappointed with the way I approached it at times," Allen told the Liverpool Echo.
"But the last couple of seasons I have certainly learned a lot and improved from that point of view and having those experiences."
