Lazio winger Felipe Anderson has stated that he didn’t mean any disrespect or poor sportsmanship when scoring and celebrating his goal against Inter on Saturday.

Speaking in a press conference ahead of the Biancocelesti’s Europa League clash with Marseille tomorrow, as reported by FCInterNews, the 28-year-old explained that he had not wanted to cause controversy with the goal and wanted to respect the Inter players.

Anderson scored late in the second half at the Stadio Olimpico to make the score 2-1, proving to be the match-winner, but the circumstances of the goal proved to be a talking point for the match.

The Brazilian carried the ball past Inter defender Federico Dimarco, who was on the ground recovering from a heavy challenge, on a counter-attack, something which the Nerazzurri players took issue with as they had felt the ball should have been put out of play.

The Nerazzurri players were visibly upset after the goal and the match became bad-tempered as they confronted Anderson and his teammates, but he stated that he meant no disrespect.

“I left the last game feeling sorry because I have always been a fair man and I’m sorry for that,” he stated. “I have never entered into the controversy. We have to move on, now I’m mentally fine.”

He went on that “We are always ready to help our opponents, but we realized that it was useless with Inter, because they they had continued. We will continue to stop when needed, at that moment it was right to continue the game.”

“I try to be as calm and aware as possible, many look at us, it was very bad to see the scuffle around me. The Inter players were nervous, I tried to do my best to stay calm and respect each of them.”