AS Roma defender Christian Panucci on Wednesday apologised for an act of insubordination that looked like ending his days at the Olimpico.
Panucci, 35, apologised ''to fans, the club and (his) teammates'' for refusing to accept a benching for Roma's January 25 trip to Napoli where they won 3-0.
Coach Luciano Spalletti reacted by axing him from the squad and Panucci responded by saying he wanted to get out of Roma ''immediately,'' before the end of the January transfer window.
In his statement Wednesday, Panucci said ''when I voiced my desire to leave Roma I was just upset, I've been in Rome for eight years and I aim to honour the club's colours until the end''.
Roma signed Udinese's Italy Under-21 captain Marco Motta, a right back, just before the transfer window closed but went on to readmit Panucci to its Champions League list.
There had been conflicting reports whether an apology would be enough to get Panucci back into the side that is sixth in Serie A and due to face Arsenal in the Champions League on February 24 and March 11.
The ex-Italy player, who won the Champions League at AC Milan and Real Madrid, has played 207 times for Roma since 2001, scoring 17 goals.
He played for Italy 57 times between 1994 and 2008, scoring four goals including an extra-time header that clinched qualification for Euro 2008 against Scotland at Hampden Park.
On June 13, he scored Italy's first goal against Romania in Euro 2008 and became the oldest player to score in the competition.
