Golec used a string of homosexual and ethnic terms to abuse Williams on Twitter as the referee officiated the fiery match between Melbourne Victory and Brisbane Roar.

The 21 year old defender - who only last month was part of the wannabe Socceroos training camp in Sydney - let rip on the social media site with a volley of abuse on Saturday.

He later deleted the tweet and then closed his whole account after a backlash from shocked fans and team-mates.

Yesterday his club issued a statement apologising for the outburst and today Golec fronted the media to apologise in person.

But his statement only said sorry to Williams, ignoring the offence he caused others by the terms he used, and insisted he was only trying to be funny.

“Whilst watching the Melbourne Victory versus Brisbane Roar match on Saturday evening at home I sent what I thought was a private Twitter message to my brother," Golec said today.

"I made comments about the standard and performance of the referee in that match, Ben Williams. I also as part of the Twitter to my brother used language that was demeaning and insulting to Mr Williams.

"I inadvertently sent that Twitter not to my brother but to a general page. As a consequence the Twitter was read by people whom I never intended to publish what was a private exchange in which I had attempted to be humorous."

He added: I accept without reservation that what I did was foolish and that as a consequence Ben Williams has every right to feel insulted and aggrieved.

"I unreservedly apologise to Ben for any stress that my Twitter my have caused to him. I will appreciate how difficult it is to referee any game let alone a game of the quality and intensity of Victory v Roar.

"I do not hold any adverse views towards Ben as a referee and what I thought were private comments made to my brother were sent in the moment of excitement without the proper thought being given to them.

Golec has now been put on a final warning by the Reds and will be trained on the proper used of social media in future.

"I have been told my Adelaide United, in no uncertain terms, that any further transgressions of this nature will result in the termination of my contract," he said.

"I value greatly my position as a member of the Adelaide United squad and having worked very hard to gain that place, I will ensure that I replay the loyalty and faith they have shown me.

"I have also been counselled as to how the misuse of social media can lead to issues for both the club and me personally and I am strongly alert to how in future I will participate in social media activities."

Golec now wants to put the episode behind him and regain his team-mates trust. However the FFA have yet to react to the incident and he may still face serious sanctions from them for bringing the game into disrepute.

He added: "The club has told me that it is up to me to regain the trust and confidence of the squad. I will do that.

"Again I wish to extend my unreserved apology to Ben Williams, my teammates, and the club for any distress and embarrassment I have caused them as a consequence of my comments.

"I have written a personal note to Ben Williams which I sincerely hope he reads and accepts.”

One football fan, John McCormack, (@mrschanBNE) responded on Twitter: "As an openly gay football fan, the 'apology' missed the point completely."

Jake Cohen (@jcohen92) tweeted: "Surely the anti homophobic suggestions are worse than having a go at a ref."

And "Steven Kruse Kagawa" (@gixibyte) added: "What Golec doesn't get is that homophobia was the problem, not insulting the ref...we all do *that*."