article-2648916-1E79824900000578-382_634x430During Ecuador’s 2-2 draw with England last night, Antonio Valencia was the victim of an awful late challenge by Liverpool’s Raheem Sterling, but fortunately for him, his standing leg wasn’t planted. If he hadn’t managed to jump out of the way, he could have been nursing the second bone break of his career.

In response, Valencia grabbed Sterling by the neck and strangled him a couple of times. Sterling was sent off for the challenge and Valencia was sent off for his reaction.

“I am sorry for the fight with Sterling,” Valencia said.. “I apologised to the team after the match and the coach. When he tackled me, I thought about Segundo Castillo [who was hurt against Mexico recently]. He nearly missed the World Cup because of injury and I feared I would too. Thankfully, I am okay.”