Joe Kinnear apologises for 'Mickey Mouse' comment in reaction to Newcastle's defeat

The interim Newcastle manager was contrition personified just days after hitting out at the Yorkshire referee in the aftermath of the 2-1 defeat and he could be punished by the Football Association for his post-match comments despite his apology.

"I am sorry if my post-match comments at Fulham caused any offence and I will ring Martin Atkinson in person to tell him," Kinnear said.

"I have accepted that some of my comments at Craven Cottage on Sunday were inappropriate and I will be calling Martin Atkinson to say that."

Kinnear, 61, added: "When I spoke to the media on Sunday I was deeply frustrated about losing a game I felt we were in a strong position to win.

"I said at the time I had no complaints about the foul by Fabricio Coloccini on Andy Johnson which brought Fulham their match-winning penalty.

"But I have watched the build-up to that goal and I felt we should have been awarded a free kick seconds earlier for a foul by Andy Johnson on Claudio Cacapa."

The FA have written to Kinnear for his version of events and will decide whether or not to punish the former Wimbledon manager when they have digested his views next week.

Kinnear is no stranger to brushes with the football authorities and began his reign as Newcastle manager with a two-match touchline ban hanging over him from his days as Nottingham Forest manager when he called a referee 'Coco the Clown'.

He has also been warned about his future conduct by the FA following his foul-mouthed rant at journalists in a press conference at Newcastle's Darsley Park training ground.

The defeat at Fulham left Newcastle third-bottom of the Premier League and Kinnear has described Saturday's visit of fellow strugglers Wigan as a " six-pointer".