EVERTON 1- FULHAM 1 FELAINI HAED

Fellaini apologises to Shawcross and Everton team-mates

Everton midfielder Marouane Fellaini has apologised after admitting he headbutted Ryan Shawcross during the 1-1 draw with Stoke at the Britannia Stadium.

While Fellaini went unpunished by the match officials at the time, replays clearly showed him making contact with Shawcross as they jostled for position in the box for a second-half corner.

Following the match, Toffees boss David Moyes admitted the incident was 'not acceptable' and Fellaini issued an apology on the club's official website.

'I apologise completely to Ryan Shawcross, my team-mates and to our fans at the game,' said Fellaini.

Heads, you lose: Marouane Fellaini should be banned, according to his manager David Moyes, after he appeared to headbutt Ryan Shawcross

Heads, you lose: Marouane Fellaini should be banned, according to his manager David Moyes, after he appeared to headbutt Ryan Shawcross

'There was a lot of pushing and pulling going on inside the Stoke penalty area and I didn't feel I was getting any protection from the officials.

'Nevertheless I know I shouldn't have done what I did.

'I have also apologised to the manager and the staff. I have no excuses, I was disappointed with the way I was being treated and I lost my temper, which was unprofessional of me.'

Despite Fellaini's apology, the incident is likely to come under scrutiny from the Football Association's disciplinary panel when they review the footage this week.

Moyes said after the game that Everton would accept any punishment, with referee Mark Halsey's failure to act allowing the FA scope to hand down retrospective punishment.

Grounded: Shawcross was left in a heap clutching his face after the clash

Moyes admitted he thought Fellaini had warranted a red card and emphasised he would not stand for that sort of behaviour from his players.

'We will take the punishment if it is given for it,' Moyes said.

'I have told him (Fellaini) in the dressing room that it is not acceptable - I won't accept it as a manager that he does that.'

Asked how he might compensate for losing a player as influential as Fellaini to suspension should the 25-year-old be handed a ban by the FA, Moyes said: 'There is no absence yet, but he is a really good player and a big part of the team, and that is why I think the biggest disappointment, if anything does happen, is that he will have let the team down.'

Retrospective action: Fellaini could face an FA charge after this incident