Berlin: Mainz midfielder Jose Rodriguez has apologised for his horror foul, which cut Augsburg's Dominik Kohr leg to the bone and earned him a fine from his German league club. "I am really sorry that Dominik was hurt and I have already personally apologised to him," Rodriguez wrote on Mainz's Facebook page.

"I just wanted to block the ball and help the team protect our lead. "From the bottom of my heart, I wish him a speedy recovery." Rodriguez, 21, a product of Real Madrid's academy, made his Mainz debut on Sunday when he came on in the 85th minute with his team 3-1 ahead in what proved to be the final score, but was sent off just eight minutes later. He was shown a straight red for his flying tackle, which saw his boot run down the shin of Kohr, 22, who had to be stretchered off.