NEW DELHI: After the finger salute, head butt and sheer lack of sportsmanship on Tuesday, Australian wrestler Hassene Fkiri realised his anger will take him nowhere. On Wednesday, he was in a damage-control mode. He apologised to his opponent in the 96kg final, Anil Kumar of India, the referee and the FILA (the world body for wrestling) delegates.Fkiri, 36, who migrated to Australia after representing Tunisia at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, lost his silver medal and honour and was confined to the athletes' Village throughout the day before his team took the decision that he would tender an apology. However, the silver won't be returned to him and Australia will not contest the decision, according to sources in the contingent. Fkiri's coach Kuldeep Bassi confirmed that the wrestler was a picture of remorse."Hassene apologised to Anil and the Indian team management in front of the FILA delegate for his behaviour. He is generally a calm guy. The incident on the day of competition happened in the heat of the moment," said Bassi. "He explained the situation to the officials. It was not a sporting behaviour and Hassene knows that and that is why he apologised.The apology is likely to ensure that he doesn't get a suspension, Bassi said. India's Greco-Roman coach Hargobind Sandhu said: "The Australian wrestler came to us and apologised. In wrestling these things happen and the Australian has realised his mistake. It is too late for him though. But he showed the good spirit to come and say sorry and that is commendable."The Australian team management also decided that Fkiri will not be sent home. "He remains in the Village till the Games are over," the contingent's press officer Tracy Parish told TOI. "He has been instructed to assist other wrestlers."The grappler, who also allegedly headbutted his semifinal opponent on Tuesday and refused to shake hands with Anil, may also make a public apology on Thursday. "It may be written and will happen at the Village tomorrow. Fkiri is emotional about the entire issue."As another chastening experience, the wrestler has been directed to train juniors at the Sydney wrestling club in Australia for one hour per week for the next one year.These sanctions were imposed after consultations between Australian team chef de mission Steve Moneghetti and Australian Commonwealth Games Association chief Perry Crosswhite , The Australian newspaper said. Moneghetti told the paper that it would have been easy to expel Fkiri from the Village but that was not a stain he wanted the father of a baby daughter to have to bear for the rest of his life."He was having the best competition of his life and had come through three outstanding rounds. He was so motivated by how he was progressing and was determined to win the gold. But as the match was unravelling that personal pressure caused him to made bad decisions," the paper quoted him as saying.