Real Zaragoza midfielder Apono has been involved in a bust-up with a fan at the club’s training ground, reports El Periodico de Aragon.
The incident occurred after the former Malaga man [pictured, left] was accidentally kicked by Jose Mari in a game organised by Coach Manolo Jimenez, after which Apono claimed he was in pain.
This prompted one mentally handicapped supporter sitting in the stands watching the session to allegedly call out ‘he got the ball’, prompting an angry reaction from Apono who subsequently marched towards a group of them.
“Go there and I’ll give somebody a slap. If you want to know if he touched me or not then come down here and have a look,” he was alleged to have shouted.
None of the onlookers – kids belonging to the ATADES organisation that helps the mentally handicapped – responded, and all remained silent as captain Javier Paredes approached Apono to try and calm him down.
After training the supporters went down to get autographs and pictures with the players, although Apono took off to the dressing rooms where he is understood to have said he was sorry for his actions and was hurt by what had happened.
Afterwards, the club said it was sorry for the incident by posting a video on its official website and the player also apologised.
“I can only apologise to the kid and the Zaragoza family,” he said. “I didn’t know they were mentally handicapped. We also have some in my family.
“I lost my temper and I was wrong. It’s not right what happened and it’s something I will never repeat. I’m sorry.”
