Former England and Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher 'devastated' by spitting incident
Suspended Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher says he is "devastated" after he was filmed spitting towards a teenage girl from his car.
The former England and Liverpool defender told ITV News that he would be "as angry as anyone could possibly be" if someone spat at his own daughter.
The incident reportedly happened after Carragher was "goaded" by the 14-year-old's father following Manchester United's 2-1 victory over Liverpool at Old Trafford on Saturday.
"It's the biggest mistake I've made, nothing comes close," Carragher said.
The 40-year-old admits he is struggling to work out the reasons behind his action, saying it was out of character.
"Obviously, I was in a rage, you've seen the video footage, I've lost my temper.
"To do what I did, I can't explain it. I'm sorry for what I've caused for that family, obviously Sky Sports who I represent also, and I can only give words now after the event about what I think about what I did, which was disgusting and unacceptable and I'm sorry but to try and explain how I felt in those four or five seconds or what took me to that, I'm struggling."
During his playing career Carragher was known for his competitive nature and received plenty of provocation from opposition players and fans but has never spat at anyone in the past.
"I'm 40 years of age, I've never done it before and I won't be doing it again. It's just a moment of madness I can't explain and a rage for four or five seconds where my head has sort of gone.
"There is nothing like that that has happened before. Certainly, going forward, it won't happened again. And I just hope this one incident is not the real me, when I see the video, I don't see the representation of myself and my character and I just hope I am giving the chance to show people going forward - and hopefully I've shown them beforehand - that that isn't a representation of me but I understand I am getting vilified and rightly so because if it was someone else I would probably be part of that vilification of an individual if that's what they've done."
Carragher repeatedly apologise to the family involved, especially the girl who was hit by his saliva.
"I am just devastated that the young girl was caught in the middle of the altercation, really, the problem and the words were with the father. I am sorry to the father, of course I am, but even more so for bringing a young girl into it and obviously the rest of the family who I am sure are not used to being in the media spotlight."
Asked how he would feel if someone spat at his daughter, Carragher said. "I'd be devastated, I'd be as angry as anyone could possibly be, so I totally get the disappointment in the family involved."
Carragher had meetings with his bosses at Sky Sports on Monday and he was suspended after those, but the 40-year-old hopes he can remain in his job.
"I would love the opportunity to remain in that position and show the real me and hopefully what I've shown in the last four or five years working for Sky and going further back, playing for Liverpool when I've been a public figure."
A Sky statement read: “Sky takes this matter extremely seriously and strongly condemns Jamie’s actions.
“We have made that clear to him in person today and suspended him from his duties. It falls well below the standards we expect of our people.”
The 14-year-old United fan, was sitting in the passenger seat, while her father was driving and talking to the former football player.
In the video, the father repeatedly mentions the score and Carragher is heard to say, "Alright", before appearing to spit at the car alongside his vehicle.
The incident, recorded by the girl's father, ends with her saying that Carragher's saliva had hit her in the face.
Carragher apologised to the family after the video emerged on Sunday evening.
Speaking as he arrived at Euston station in London on Monday, he told reporters: "I'll speak to the family again. I'm sorry. I'll apologise again today properly."
Asked if he had seen the girl in the car, Carragher replied: "I didn't, to be honest, she was leant back. I wish she wasn't involved. I hate that she was involved more than anything."
In a tweet, Carragher admitted he had been "totally out of order", adding that he "lost his rag" after being goaded about Liverpool's defeat.
Danish television channel TV3 have also confirmed they have dropped Carragher from their coverage of Manchester United against Sevilla on Tuesday night.
Carragher has been widely condemned for his action but did receive support from fellow Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville.
The former Manchester United defender tweeted: "No excuses he’s made a big mistake. He’s massively passionate about football and he’s overstepped the mark and shouldn’t have reacted. I’ve been on TV for 3 years with him and imo this isolated incident shouldn’t stop us working together."