Roberto Mancini accuses Napoli manager Maurizio Sarri of homophobic slur during dramatic Coppa Italia touchline bust-up
  • 8 years ago
Roberto Mancini has claimed Napoli manager Maurizio Sarri branded him a 'f*****' and a p***' in a dramatic homophobic rant during a touchline bust-up on Tuesday night.

Former Manchester City boss Mancini, taking charge of Inter Milan in the Coppa Italia, became embroiled in a heated exchange with his Italian counterpart in the latter stages of the game at Stadio San Paolo.


And speaking about the incident after the match, Mancini is reported to have told Rai Sport: 'Sarri should be drummed out of football. I got up to ask the fourth official why there were five minutes of added time.

'Sarri then got up and shouted 'p***' and 'f****' at me. I would be proud to be that if he is what's considered a man.

'I am not remotely interested in talking about the game. A 60-year-old man who acts like this is shameful. You can argue, but this is shameful.

'I went to find him in the locker room and he apologised, but I want him to be ashamed of what he said. In England someone like him wouldn't even be allowed to set foot on the touchline.'

The alleged incident occured after Adem Ljajic had doubled Inter Milan's lead to secure their place in the last four of the Coppa Italia.

Substitutes spilled onto the pitch in celebration, before the fourth official and former Arsenal defender Sylvinho - assistant manager of Inter Milan - were left to pull the two managers apart.When asked after the match if he used a homophobic slur on Mancini, Sarri is reported to have replied: 'I can't remember, it's possible.

'I was fired up and angry, so I'm not sure what I said. Adrenaline does strange things to people and can trip you up. As far as I'm concerned, it was part of the game and at the 90th minute it's all over.


'Am I homophobic? That seems over the top. I was just irritable.'

Mancini went sent off by the referee, while Sarri remained in his position on the touchline until the full-time whistle just minutes later.

'It was the kind of argument that people have on the touchline or on the pitch,' Sarri continued.
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