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For kicking Liverpool's Mohamed Sissoko in the thigh during Sunday's match, London's Chelsea defender Michael Ballack will have to miss as many as three Premier League matches.
It should be noted that this was only the first red card in the 29-year-old German's career.
"I saw the incident on TV, and I know I have to apologize for this mistake. I have no complaints against M. Sissoko. I like him," said M. Ballack.
The new Chelsea acquisition will miss the upcoming Premier League matches against Fulham, Aston Villa, and Reading, but will be able to play in the Champions League against Sofia's Levski next week. In the English championship, the German will only return to the field on October 21 in a match against Portsmouth.
Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho did not criticize M. Ballack for the mentioned red card. In addition, the Portuguese stated that M. Sissoko himself should have been removed from the field for two, in his opinion, rough fouls even before the incident with M. Ballack.
