Motta said yesterday: “I made the decision in a moment of weakness. For that reason, I ask the board, the fans, my teammates, who have always supported me, to forgive me. I also ask my coach, who has always stood my me and who I know I have let down, to grant me a pardon.
“I believe everyone commits errors, but it takes a man to admit them and to ask forgiveness.”
He added: “I hope the fans show patience with me. I want to show that I can be a valuable player for this team for many years into the future.”
The midfielder said on his relationship with sports director Txiki Begiristain: “I’ve hardly spoken with him, and have never had a strong feeling towards him.
“I have a better relationship with the coach.”
“When one does not play, he wants to demonstrate that he can. If he cannot, one can feel weak and in a short while you feel bad and you think that perhaps you are not valuable. That was the biggest reason for me not coming to work and for that reason I ask for understanding.”
