Popov has learned his lesson

West Brom defender Goran Popov says he has learnt from his mistake after receiving a three-match-ban for spitting at Tottenham’s Kyle Walker.

The Macedonia international – who is on loan from Dynamo Kiev – was sent off in the club’s 1-0 defeat to Spurs at the beginning of February and says that he was surprised his punishment was so harsh.

“Getting the red card was very disappointing. This was a bad moment for me but everyone makes mistakes,” he told reporters.

“I am not trying to make an excuse but I can say that I was surprised to get a red card. I spat in front of me, not at the player. I am not this kind of person.”

The 28-year-old said that though he recognised what he did was wrong, he felt that in other countries the punishment would not have been so harsh.

“If I was in another country, if I do this in Ukraine or Holland, it is not a red card, but in England this is the way it is treated,” he added.

“I understand this, which is why I apologised to everyone, but it is over now. You learn from mistakes and it will never happen to me again.”