Cahill Sorry for Handcuff Celebration

The Everton midfielder Tim Cahill has today apologised "wholeheartedly" for any offence caused by his celebration after scoring against Portsmouth on Sunday. Cahill celebrated by pretending his wrists were in handcuffs and dedicated the goal to his brother Sean, who is serving a six-year sentence for grevious bodily harm.

"It was a spontaneous and emotional reaction but was only intended to signify to my brother that I was thinking of him and missing him," Cahill said today. "It was not intended to cause any offense to any other party and I wholeheartedly apologize if any offense was caused."

Everton moved quickly to support their player yesterday after media speculation surrounding the Australian's controversial celebration. "Goal celebrations are a personal matter and up to the player to decide," said a club spokesman. "It clearly was a very personal thing for Tim Cahill. Anyone who saw the pictures will see he was emotional and it meant a lot to him."

Cahill said of his handcuffs gesture: "Basically, it's for my older brother. Everyone knows my situation and I am just proud that he is happy and I am happy and I'm thinking of him always. My family means a lot to me and so does this football club. It's been a bit emotional but it's good."

Sean Cahill was jailed in January following what police described as a "brutal and terrifying" attack on a man outside a taxi office in Bromley, Kent on 11 July 2004, after visiting a nightclub with his brother Tim, who had left earlier. CCTV controllers spotted Cahill as he twice kicked his prone victim in the head, leaving him partially blinded.