Sunderland striker Andy Cole had to be restrained by police after clashing with Cardiff City defender Darren Purse while on-loan for Burnley.
The veteran striker was still furious at the final whistle and raced up the tunnel but police and substitutes from both sides stopped Cole confronting the distraught defender.
Cole said: "I ain't going to tell a lie. I went looking for him but I didn't get to him. The guy was a muppet and it was one of the worst tackles I've had in my career.
"The bloke can't even play football. He was saying I went high, but if I did how high did he go? I have 10 stitches at the top of my shin."
Cardiff boss Dave Jones accused Cole of using his reputation to get Purse sent off, with the striker pulling down his sock to show referee Andy Hall the damage.
He claimed the Burnley loan signing should 'take a long, hard look at himself' before adding that the club intend to appeal over the red card.
Cole said: "I think he should be the one taking a look at himself. I have had 18 years in the game. What has he ever done?"
