Everton midfielder Tim Cahill apologised Tuesday for the controversial way in which he celebrated his goal during the 3-1 Premier League win over Portsmouth at Goodison Park.
Sunday's second-half goal was the Australia international's first since his older brother Sean was sentenced to eight years in prison in January for assaulting a man who was left partially blind after an attack outside a south London nightclub.
Socceroos star Cahill celebrated his goal in trademark fashion by punching a corner flag before making a crossed-wrists gesture, apparently to mimic a pair of handcuffs.
He said afterwards: "It's for my older brother. Everyone knows my situation. I'm just proud that he's happy and I'm happy. I'm thinking of him always."
But on Tuesday, Cahill said in a statement: "I am aware of the significant media coverage following my unusual goal celebration on Sunday against Portsmouth.
"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.
"It was not intended to cause any offence to any other party and I wholeheartedly apologise if any offence was caused."
The mother of Christopher Stapley, the man attacked by Sean Cahill, told the Daily Mail she hoped here son never saw Tim Cahill's goal celebration.
"We just want to move on," Stapley's mother Pamela told the Daily Mail. "Chris doesn't know about what happened on the football field and I don't want him to."