Lazio's Lulic apologizes for racist insult after Rome derby

ROME (AP) - Lazio midfielder Senad Lulic has apologized for a racist insult toward Roma defender Antonio Rudiger following the Rome derby.

In a post-match interview, Lulic said Rudiger was provoking Lazio players before the game and that "two years ago he was selling socks and belts in Stuttgart, now he acts like he's a phenomenon."

On Monday, Lulic wrote on Instagram that he realized he responded to a provocation with "another provocation."

Lulic, who is Bosnian, adds, "I come from a country that knows about the tragedies caused by ethnic prejudices. That's why I'm sorry that I got carried away by the post-derby tensions and to have expressed myself in an inopportune manner."

Still, Lulic risks a lengthy ban from league authorities.

Roma won the derby 2-0.