Maccabi Haifa's Ruben Rayos has publicly apologised for a horrific double-footed tackle on Rafi Dahan which left the Bnei Yehuda defensive midfielder with a badly broken leg on Sunday.
Rayos, 27, went in high on his opponent in the 84th minute of the side's 2-2 draw at the weekend and was shown a straight red card, while 24-year-old Dahan was helped from the pitch by medical staff in agony.
Israeli Dahan -- who has been forced to postpone his wedding as a result of the injury -- slammed Rayos' challenge, stating: "It was a crime. He wanted to finish my career. I'll never forget him for what he's done."
Rayos issued an apology on his official website, and has contacted Dahan to express his sorrow over the incident.
"I want to apologise to Rafi Dahan, a player from the match who has been affected in the worst possible way, and my apologies to the fans of Yehuda, to my teammates and the fans of M. Haifa," he said.
"In my career I have never been involved in a situation like this, I did not intend to do any harm, I have contacted Rafi to know his condition, I am very affected by this."
Rayos played 25 times for Barcelona's 'B' team in the 2008-09 season, and won the Best Foreign Player award in the Greek Super League for Maccabi Haifa for his performances during the 2012-13 campaign.
Read more: Rubén Rayos regrets horror challenge on Dahan - MARCA.com (English version)
"It was a crime. He wanted to finish my career. I'll never forget him for what he's done", said the Israeli who has even had to postpone his wedding.
Read more: Rubén Rayos regrets horror challenge on Dahan - MARCA.com (English version
Maccabi Haifa currently sit fourth in the division with 41 points from 25 games, while Bnei Yehuda languish bottom of the table with 19 points.