Clarence Seedorf is fuming over claims he was to blame for AC Milan's derby defeat to Inter.

Confusion on the Milan bench led to Rino Gattuso carrying on while injured, which eventually led to a penalty and his dismissal.

"I had a very strong desire to play and get out there, to be ready for anything the Coach needed, and that is what happened," insisted Seedorf after Milan's 4-0 defeat to Inter.

"When we were 1-0 down [Massimo] Ambrosini was meant to come on. When the penalty happened I went to warm up in the players' tunnel, which is probably about 50 metres long."

A great deal of confusion continues to surround that substitution, as it took Seedorf several minutes to change into his football boots and pull on his shirt. By the time he was ready, a furious Gattuso had been sent off.

"I was wearing trainers and not slippers, as some newspapers claimed. This is all an offence against my professionalism. I warmed up inside before anyone actually told me to. Therefore I anticipated a decision that would later be made by the Coach.

"I was returning from a 40-day injury lay-off and in the last week had a calf problem, which is why I had the trainers on.

"I also read comments on the issue of the shirt. If I must apologise for this, then I will, but I think I proved the desire I had to play in the second half when I did well."