Japan winger Mitoma 'apologetic' after hitting cyclist with car

Brighton winger Kaoru Mitoma hit a cyclist with his car while driving in Tokyo, his management company said, adding that the player was "feeling apologetic" after the incident.

Mitoma missed the World Cup after suffering an injury playing in the Premier League less than a week before Japan named their squad for the tournament.

The 29-year-old's management said that he collided with a cyclist on 8:45 am on Wednesday.

The cyclist was taken for a medical check and found to have bruising, while Mitoma was unhurt.

Mitoma's management said that the incident happened because of the player's "failure to observe the road ahead".

"Immediately after the accident, he checked on the other party's condition and followed the instructions of the police officers who arrived at the scene," they said in a statement.

Mitoma's management said they "would like to offer our deepest and most sincere apologies to the person who sustained injuries in the accident, as well as to all those affected".

"Mr Mitoma himself takes this accident very seriously and is feeling sympathetic and apologetic towards the person affected," they added.

Local police declined to comment when contacted by AFP.

Mitoma was suspected of running a red light, according to reports in Kyodo News and other outlets.

Mitoma was left out of Japan's World Cup squad after injuring his hamstring in Brighton's 3-0 win over Wolves on May 9.

He is one of Japan's best players and scored the winner in their 1-0 friendly win over England at Wembley in March.

Japan lost 2-1 to Brazil in the first knock-out stage at the World Cup in North America.

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© Agence France-Presse