Afcon 2015: Two-match ban as Gervinho apologises for red card
- Published
Ivory Coast forward Gervinho has been given a two-match ban following his sending off against Guinea in the sides' 1-1 draw on Tuesday.
Gervinho said sorry after striking Naby Keita and will now miss his country's final Group D fixtures.
"I want to apologise to the Ivory Coast nation, my team-mates, the fans and the African Nations Cup organisers for this gesture of anger," he wrote on Twitter., external
"It is not like me and it does not have its place on a football pitch."
Gervinho, 27, will now be unavailable for the Ivory Coast's up-coming games against Mali and Cameroon and will only feature again in the tournament if his side reaches the quarter-finals.
The former Arsenal forward appeared to slap Guinea defender Keita in the 58th minute of the match in Malabo in an off-the-ball incident.
Ivory Coast were a goal down at the time but fought back to earn a draw despite their numerical disadvantage.
- Published20 January 2015