Melbourne Heart crock Adrian Zahra says he accepted the apology of Melbourne Victory captain Kevin Muscat after their derby clash.

Muscat's tackle left Zahra with a serious knee injury.

"I definitely accepted his apology," Zahra told the Herald Sun.

"What happens in the game happens in the game.

"There are times you've got a split-second to make a decision. Either you do it or you don't and he obviously did. You can't hold grudges, so I'm not going to sit here and say it shouldn't have happened because it did.

"He was very sympathetic and apologetic. He understood my point of view, I understood his. He does wear his heart on his sleeve when he plays, but my main concern is to be playing football."