Dyer & Bowyer apologise for brawl

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Newcastle pair Kieron Dyer and Lee Bowyer have apologised for fighting each other during their side's 3-0 home defeat against Aston Villa.

Dyer and Bowyer exchanged blows in the middle of the Newcastle half three minutes after Villa had gone 3-0 up.

"We'd like to apologise to the fans, the chairman, the staff and everyone connected to Newcastle," said Bowyer.

"We're team-mates and we have disagreements, but we shouldn't fight in front of 50,000 people," added Dyer.

The duo had to be separated by Villa goalscorer Gareth Barry and several of their team-mates, though not before Bowyer's shirt had been ripped.

The fight was an absolute disgrace - I would be quite happy if they never played for us again From Emma C Have your say on 606

Both will miss the FA Cup semi-final against Manchester United on 17 April.

Magpies boss Graeme Souness admitted that he was stunned by the flare-up on the pitch.

"I've never witnessed that, you see hard words between players in every game but it's unusual to say the least for it to lead to what happened today," said Souness.

"I've been reassured by Dyer he did not throw any punches, but Bowyer is indefensible and he has to accept whatever punishment comes his way.

"There will be internal discipline, but I can envisage both of them playing for Newcastle again. They're top-class players and they don't come along very often.

"The only people they've hurt are the customers, the guys who work hard all week to be able to pay to come and watch them."