Brit Awards 2014: 'I come in peace!' Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas pleads as presents award with X-Factor judge Nicole Scherzinger

Fabregas was apologising for Barca's 2-0 win over Manchester City the previous night

Cesc Fabregas and Nicole Scherzinger at the Brits on Wednesdays night (GETTY IMAGES)

Calmness personified on the pitch, but Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas appeared rather sheepish as he presented the Brit Award for Best International Group with X-Factor judge Nicole Scherzinger at the o2 Arena on Wednesday night.

The midfielder, who used to play in London for Arsenal, was introduced by the excitable Scherzinger as someone who "had some fun last night," in reference to Barca's comprehensive 2-0 victory over Manchester City in their Champions League last-16 first-leg contest at Etihad Stadium on Tuesday night.

With team-mate Lionel Messi and his garish red suit seemingly unavailable for the evening, the Brit Awards' organisers brought in Fabregas, who, facing a crowd of industry bods and pop bands, somehow found the need to apologise for Barca's win 200 miles away the previous night, proud City fan Noel Gallagher was probably giving him the evil eye.

Watch the video of the Fabregas at the Brits below

"I'm sorry about last night. I come in peace!" Fabregas pleaded.

Scherzinger then drawled: "He's not shy at all"

The award was won by robotic dance duo Daft Punk, but collected by disco legend Nile Rodgers who collaborated with the pair on three tracks on their album Random Access Memories, including the inescapable single Get Lucky.

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Comment: Not the worst Barca, but not the team they once were