Kaizer Chiefs coach Stuart Baxter has apologised for seeing red in the Nedbank Cup semi-final, explaining that a personal tragedy sparked his actions.

Baxter was sent of by referee Victor Gomez in the match against United FC on May 4 for abusive language, and will have to watch Amakhosi’s final two matches from the stands.

The coach explains that he heard the news that a player at his former club had passed away before the match, putting him under psychological stress.

“I was probably over-emotional on the day after receiving the news of the death of my goalkeeper at my former club AIK in Stockholm, Sweden,” Baxter tells kaizerchiefs.com. “Ivan Turina died in his sleep on the 2nd of May, the news that shattered not only me but my whole family and sent shock waves in Swedish football.”

However, the coach also adds that he believes his dismissal was harshly awarded.

“It was at the end of the game and I had not been warned before this incident,” he says.

“At the end of the day I take responsibility for my actions. I would like to apologise for my action to the referee and I regret that this happened – although it was in the heat of the moment.”

Chiefs are top of the Premiership log. Their final two League fixtures are against SuperSport United and University of Pretoria.

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