West Brom star Matheus Pereira apologises for 'cut-throat' celebration at QPR

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Matheus Pereira scored for West Brom during victory at QPR in September
He celebrated with 'cut-throat' gesture but has since publicly apologised
For 2019/20 season Loftus Road is named The Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium
Prince, a QPR youth team player, was fatally stabbed aged 15 in May 2006

Published: 06:10 EDT, 8 October 2019 | Updated: 06:10 EDT, 8 October 2019

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Matheus Pereira has apologised to QPR after celebrating a goal with a 'cut-throat' action during West Brom's 2-0 victory in September.

The Brazilian curled home an 84th-minute free-kick - his first goal for the club - in a 2-0 win but home fans were angry at his choice of gesture.

For the 2019/20 season, Loftus Road has been renamed The Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium, in recognition of the work done by the charity after it was set up following the fatal stabbing of 15-year-old schoolboy Prince in May 2006.

Pereira said: 'Of course I must apologise if my goal celebrations caused any offence.

Matheus Pereira has apologised for a throat-slitting gesture for West Brom in win at QPR

'It is most important supporters at QPR and beyond understand that it was never my intention to do so. The gesture was meant only to signify "game over" as my goal had given us a 2-0 lead and the opposition had lost a player to a red card.

'I was very excited for my first goal and happy for our supporters.

'I saw a Brazilian player with Flamengo doing it recently and it was just in my mind.

'I have since been made aware of the story of the Kiyan Prince Foundation and understand why my celebrations might have been misunderstood and caused offence.

'It was certainly not my intention to do so and I apologise for that.

'I am here to enjoy English football and make friends and share in the excitement of the game in this country.

'I apologise sincerely for any offence I may have caused.'

QPR youth-team player Kiyan Prince was fatally stabbed to death while outside his school

The Kiyan Prince Foundation won a public vote from a shortlist of five charities to win the naming rights to QPR's stadium this year.

Kiyan's father Mark Prince set up the charity in the wake of his son's death with the aim of educating young people about the devastating consequences of knife crime.