One week on from the controversial Athletic Bilbao-Real Madrid game, a slow but deliberate Carlos Gurpequi has referred to what has gone on these days, during which time he has been a target for criticism after the sending off of Cristiano Ronaldo. The Athletic captain has expressed his sorrow at the crude comments made - many of them offensive - and has been grateful for the support he has received from the club, his teammates and the Athletic fans.

"I was happy at the end of the game against Real Madrid, but very aware of what was going to happen after. And I was slightly concerned about that", he said.

The Bilbao player explained his clash with Cristiano Ronaldo: "Cristiano said it was a hand ball and I said it wasn't and touched his chest. That was when he made contact with my face and scratched me. My reaction was to go to the floor with no intention whatsoever of getting the referee to send him off and without any prior provocation. It would have been easy to stay rolling on the ground, but I think that I'm an honest guy".

The events that unfolded had a second chapter in the form of post-match analyses, when criticism was targeted at Gurpegui. At times this criticism included insults and comments relating to the positive drugs test that saw him suspended earlier in his career. "I'm no longer that kid of 22 that tested positive. I have a family and a daughter and it hurts me to think that they will hear these things being said about me", he lamented.