Kaboul makes apology for 'silly' red card

Younes Kaboul has apologised to Portsmouth fans for "losing his mind a bit" and getting sent off after scoring an injury-time equaliser at Sunderland, which rules him out of Wednesday night's trip to Chelsea.

French defender Kaboul, already booked, received a second yellow card from referee Steve Bennett for taking his shirt off during celebrations at the Stadium of Light.

Pompey boss Avram Grant has already blasted the "stupid rule", but Kaboul accepts he should have know better.

Kaboul said in the Portsmouth News: "I am really sorry and I have said that to the players.

"It was a silly thing to do, but if you love football you can see why I reacted like that.

"I lost my mind a bit, but it was the emotion of it.

"I was stupid and forgot I was booked.

"The referee did his job and it was unlucky for me.

"I am happy to score, but a bit disappointed as well."

Pompey remain bottom of the Barclays Premier League, but four points from the last two games have offered encouragement as Grant prepares to head back to his former club.

"We showed a tough side to our game and we did very well," Kaboul added.

"We never lost our head and kept going. That paid off at the end.

"Hopefully we can keep that going now.

"If you see the emotion of everyone at the end, it's because it's been very difficult for us and we still fight.

"The players are doing the best. We are showing the spirit."