Crystal Palace winger Wayne Routledge has apologised for his act of petulance.
Crystal Palace winger Wayne Routledge has apologised for his act of petulance after Saturday's defeat to Middlesbrough.At the end of Palace's 1-0 home loss to Boro, Routledge angrily threw his shirt to the ground after being criticised by Eagles fans.
A small section of the Selhurst Park crowd had been shouting abuse at the teenager due to his reluctance to sign a new contract.
Routledge's deal expires at the end of the season and he appears unlikely to extend his stay with The Eagles.
The fans had questioned the promising wide man's commitment to the Palace cause as the club battle to stay in The Premiership.
That criticism prompted Routledge to throw down his shirt, an action he regretted and led to his apology to manager Iain Dowie.
While the Palace fans are unhappy with Routledge at present, he has found an ally in the guise of team-mate Aki Riihilahti.
"You experience a lot as a footballer and sometimes people get too excited when it is a young lad who has done well, been an ambassador and will always give 100 percent," said Riihilahti.
"Wayne has always been dedicated and is a good professional and everybody has to remember that."
Prior to the defeat to Boro, Palace chief Dowie commented that he had no problems with Routledge's dedication despite the contract impasse.
