Mongolian grand champion Asashoryu, who is receiving treatment in his native country, plans to apologize in press conference for behavior that resulted in a two-tournament suspension once he returns to Japan, the Japan Sumo Association's Yokozuna Deliberation Council said Monday. Council head Katsuji Ebisawa has learned in a report from Asashoryu's stable elder Takasago that the grand champion hopes to explain why he played in a charity soccer match, despite claiming injuries preventing such activity and hopes to give an apology for snubbing a regional training tour. "If he has that intention, we would like to hear his explanation of what occurred, how he feels now and what he has learned from the experience," Ebisawa said.
