Karembeu apologizes before sports judge for head butt

Olympiakos' French World Cup winner Christian Karembeu apologized before a Greek sports judge for head-butting and trying to strangle an opposing player during a weekend match.

The 32-year-old midfielder's moment of madness, for which the local media dubbed him "raging bull", took place at the end of Olympiakos' Greek first division game against PAOK on Sunday.

After being fouled by PAOK striker Yiannakis Okkas three minutes from time Karembeu attacked the Cypriot international, first administering a blow with his head and then grabbing him round the neck before his team-mates rushed to subdue him.

His violent behaviour earned him his second red card of the season and he automatically misses the next three matches.

The sports judge is expected to announce further penalties against Karembeu on Friday with the French player facing a possible 10-match ban and a heavy fine.

"It was a regrettable incident and there is no excuse for my actions," Karembeu told reporters after testifying.

He told the judge that he was provoked by PAOK players throughout the match, but should not have reacted violently.

Meanwhile, the same sports judge imposed fines of 8,000 euros (8,600 dollars) against Aris Salonika, 6,000 euros (6,449 dollars) against Panathinaikos, 3,000 euros (3,224 dollars) against PAOK and 2,000 euros (2,150 dollars) against Panionios for crowd trouble during weekend matches.

Iraklis Salonika's Dutch coach Eugen Gerard complained that violence in Greek football has now gotten out of hand.

"You find violence in other countries but something is done about it, not here. In Italy after the incidents in Turin they caught 30 people through videos and photographs. Here we see who is involved and nothing is done. Let us hope that things get better," Gerhard said.