Coventry City manager Mark Robins has apologised after celebrating a 3-2 FA Cup quarter-final victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers in front of a Wolves ballboy, saying the emotions of watching his side score a 100th-minute winner got the better of him.
Coventry, who trailled 2-1, scored two goals in second-half added time, with Haji Wright's winner coming in the 100th minute, as the Championship side booked a semi-final spot for only the second time in their history.
The ballboy in question had dropped the ball at Robins' feet earlier in the game, when Wolves looked on course to seal a semi-final date at Wembley.
When Coventry's third goal went in, Robins, 54, ran to the ballboy with clenched fists, but after the game, he "apologised unreservedly".
"I have an apology to make, because before that [winning goal] happened, a ballboy had the ball in his hand," Robins said. "He dropped the ball and walked away, smiling.
"It really annoyed me, but he's a kid. At the end of the day, I've reacted.
"We scored the goal, and I've gone and celebrated in front of him, so I'm apologising to him. I do not show emotion very often, but I did today and that's what the FA Cup does to you."
Wolves boss Gary O'Neil says Robins apologised to him as well, but labelled the celebration "disgusting".
"I was disappointed," he said. "I waited for Mark downstairs after I'd seen it and spoke to him.
"He apologised, but to celebrate in a young boy's face like that I thought was disgusting.
"The boy is really upset. Of course, it shouldn't happen, but I don't have too much to say, because I've lost and it's going to sound bitter.
"I thought it was really important for me to speak to Mark about it. They are just kids doing a job."
Reuters
