Nasri sorry for foul-mouthed outburst

The Manchester City midfielder was walking through the interview area when the heated exchange took place. Asked by one journalist for a quote, he answered: “You are looking for s***, you are looking for trouble.”

The reporter replied: “Get lost, then, if you have nothing to say.” Nasri turned back and said “f*** you” followed by a stream of further abuse, inviting the reporter to have a conversation with him man-to-man.

France coach Laurent Blanc and the national football federation later criticised Nasri’s behaviour, and the player faces possible disciplinary action.

“The supporters and in particular children should know that I regret that my language may have shocked them,” Nasri wrote on his Twitter page. “I love [the France team], football, and I have a profound respect for the spectators.”

He did not apologise to the reporter.

“I will explain further when the time comes,” Nasri said.

Speaking the day after the match, Blanc hit out at Nasri’s reaction to the journalist, saying: “It is very regrettable but it’s a problem between Samir and the press. It is very, very bad for his image but when this is done when he’s with France it’s also bad for the team’s image. He lacked respect towards the journalist who at some point also lacked respect towards him.”

The FFF is due to meet next week to discuss Nasri’s case and will reportedly address the behavior of wingers Hatem Ben Arfa and Jeremy Menez.

Nasri, who came on as a second-half substitute against Spain, had a tense relationship with French media throughout the tournament.

After scoring the equaliser in the 1-1 draw with England in France’s opening game, Nasri ran toward the touchline in celebration and shouted “Shut your mouth” in French. He then brought his finger to his lips to tell a journalist to hush.

“There is a problem between Nasri and the press. That’s the truth,” Blanc said the day after the Spain match.

At the 2010 World Cup, striker Nicolas Anelka received an 18-match ban after insulting coach Raymond Domenech in the dressing room.

Several players – including captain Patrice Evra – received shorter bans for their part in a training-ground strike in protest at Anelka being sent home.

While France never reached such lows at Euro 2012, several players – including Nasri, midfielder Alou Diarra and Ben Arfa – were involved in a heated dressing-room bust-up following the 2-0 defeat to Sweden in the final group game.