Former Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard has explained an incident involving American tourists a day after the 9/11 terrorist attacks following his move to New York City FC.
The England international has apologised for his behaviour after an incident at Heathrow Airport in 2001, but denied heckling travellers from the United States.
He told reporters: "I'm actually quite grateful to have the opportunity to address this coming over here now because I was bit young and a bit stupid.
"One thing I wanted to say here is, categorically, that I didn't heckle anybody and I didn't insult anybody, because that's not the kind of guy I am.
"I want the New York people to know I'm coming here and I love the city. I think in the last 10 to 13 years at Chelsea I've proved hopefully that I'm a good man off the football pitch as well as a good football player."
Lampard will be a part of New York City FC's debut season in the MLS next year.
Benjamin Topliss
