REAL SOCIEDAD | VELA
"We all make mistakes, it's not as though I killed someone"
16 days after he was fined by Real Sociedad for indiscipline, Carlos Vela appeared before the press to explain himself and apologise in public.
It's been 16 days since Carlos Vela was served disciplinary action by Real Sociedad. The Mexican forward made his first appearance before the media to explain what happened during the night of March 6th. Vela was spotted attending an impromptu performance by Chris Brown at Madrid nightclub Shôko until 3am and missed the squad's training session the following day. The player was handed a heavy economic fine but was saved from being excluded from the team's activities by his own team mates and captain Xabi Prieto, who petitioned coach Eusebio to allow the player back into the squad.
How can you explain your absence from the training session on 7 March?
Right from the beginning, I was conscious that what I did was wrong. I didn’t behave as I should - I assume the mistake I made and accept the consequences that followed. I accept what the club and my team mates decided to happen for what I did.
Why have you waited this long to face the music in public?
It's just the way I am, in the good and bad momentes, I'm not going to change. You all know me well enough here from the five years I have been at La Real. I will always stand up and be counted. I am very sincere and very clear.
What do you think about your team mates requesting your return to training sessions?
Even before all of this, I have always viewed my team mates as my friends, we are like a family. I have a great love for all of them, and they love me in the same way. I am very happy to know that they’ll always be by my side.
Do you think the fans deserve an apology?
The fans have shown how angry they are with me. I respect the fans a great deal. I have apologized to my team mates and to the club, and now I don’t think it’s necessary to keep going over it. Now we have to look to the future. I made a mistake but I can’t keep dealing with what's in the past; I promise that it won’t happen again. We have to look forward and I have to work hard in training and get back to my best for the team – that’s all I can do.
Does it annoy you that your attitude has been questioned?
All of us make mistakes and the majority of us have missed a day’s work for whatever reason. But it’s not as though I’ve killed someone. I made a mistake; I am the first to admit that I put my foot in it and I accept everything that follows as a result of my error. As a person, I think you should assume the responsibilities of your actions. I repeat: I respect the fans a lot, for the good things and for the bad. I have no complaints with them, even when they target me for not being the professional I should be..