Joey Barton apologised to his QPR team-mates and the club's supporters after he was sent off for violent conduct in the defeat at fellow Premier League strugglers Hull.
The QPR captain was shown the ninth red card of his controversial career for pushing Hull's Alex Bruce and then aiming a low blow into Tom Huddlestone's groin in a 32nd-minute melee.
Barton, who came into the game on seven successive yellow cards in the league, claimed that he was trying to defend debutant Darnell Furlong after the youngster had landed himself in trouble for fouling Nikica Jelavic.
He wrote on Twitter: 'Young kid making his debut has made a good tackle. Couple of Hull players trying to get him sent off. My job as captain is to protect him. I've tried to prevent Hull's players influencing referee as u can see by me pushing Bruce away.
'I've apologised to the lads and would like to apologise to all QPR fans who travelled today.
'I'm gutted I got sent off. I've let my teammates down today and being someone who puts the team above everything else I'm gutted about that.
'My actions towards Huddlestone were certainly not malicious, it was a stupid reaction to being barged but I can appreciate it wasn't right.'
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