New Peterborough United striker Ricky Miller has claimed he was forced into biting an opponent because he was being held in a headlock and was "struggling to breathe."
Miller was found guilty of violent conduct by the Football Association on Wednesday, with the incident having happened as he played for previous club Dover in a National League match at Guiseley in March.
The 28-year-old was banned for the first six matches of next season -- a decision Peterborough chairman Darragh MacAnthony described as "unfortunate news."
But Miller, who joined the League One club last month, said he was forced into his actions.
"I would just like to take this opportunity to put into a bit of context the six-match ban that I have received from the Football Association relating to an incident while playing for Dover Athletic at the back end of last season,'' Miller said in a statement on Peterborough's official website.
"Whilst I apologise for my actions, I was in a situation in which I was struggling to breathe.
"I was being held in a headlock by an opponent for six seconds and felt it was my only option to get out of it, which was acknowledged by the Football Association.
"It is important to put the incident into a bit of context because I am aware that without knowing the full story people can make judgements, which are not accurate.
"It will be frustrating to miss the start of the season, but I will be working extremely hard during the preseason campaign to get myself in the best possible shape to be ready for when I can be called upon for selection."
Miller joined League One Peterborough on a three-year deal after making his name in the National League, where he won last season's Player of the Year award after netting 42 goals in 43 games.