Former Ireland defender Darren O’Dea has apologised for feigning injury during Dundee’s recent 0-0 draw with Livingston.
Livingston substitute Jack Hamilton was sent off in the 84th minute for raising his hand to O’Dea who threw himself to the ground in an attempt to dismiss the teenager.
Livingston striker Jack Hamilton is free to face Aberdeen on Saturday after the club lodge an appeal against the teenager's Boxing Day red card.
There will be a Monday hearing to examine his tussle with Dundee's Darren O'Dea.https://t.co/7XUdVckfzL pic.twitter.com/XsouQ3ZVhQ
— BBC Sport Scotland (@BBCSportScot) December 28, 2018
O’Dea was banned for two games for feigning a blow to the face while Hamilton had his red card downgraded by the SFA to a yellow after a successful appeal.
O’Dea apologised on his Twitter writing:
“In the heat of battle I’ve reacted in the wrong manner to gain an advantage. I’m embarrassed by it as it’s not the example to set.”
I accept the SFA’s decision. In the heat of battle I’ve reacted in the wrong manner to gain an advantage. I’m embarrassed by it as it’s not the example to set. I apologise to Livingston FC and Jack Hamilton.
— Darren O'Dea (@odea_darren) January 4, 2019
O’Dea has been capped 20 times by the Republic of Ireland and has played for eight different clubs over a 12 year period.
The Dubliner started his career at Celtic and moved on to Reading, Ipswich Town and Leeds United for brief loan spells before eventually moving on to Toronto FC.
He spent one year in Canada before moving on to Metalurh Donetsk, Blackpool, Mumbai City and finally Dundee where’s been playing his football since 2016.
