Sarri gets 2-match ban for ‘queer’ slur

Ex-Manchester City manager Mancini, 51, claims Sarri used homophobic language towards him during a touchline row when their teams met in the Coppa Italia.

Mancini insists “the fourth official heard everything” Sarri said as Inter closed in on a 2-0 victory in Naples, and any punishment from the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) could be severe.

Napoli head coach Maurizio Sarri has been banned for two Coppa Italia games and fined £15,000 for using “heavily insulting” language towards Inter boss Roberto Mancini.

Sarri denied his comments were homophobic, saying: “I was just irritable …”

Mancini, who was sent to the stands during the match, was fined 5,000 euros (£3,800) for confronting his opposite number and being “disrespectful” to the fourth official.

A statement said the punishment was handed down after: “Sarri, in the 47th minute of the second half, seriously insulted the opposition team coach. Therefore, we categorically reject the notion that the words of Maurizio Sarri could have been intended in a discriminatory manner, and it’s hoped that the Inter Coach will accept the apologies which have repeatedly been offered, and that purely sporting events between the two clubs can return to being the focus of the media and the public”.

“I don’t ask people to share my way of being, but I demand respect”. At the moment they’re creating a polemic and creating factions which shift attention away from the real problem!

Although the dispute between the coaches was visible from television pictures, Mancini revealed the extent of Sarri’s insults in post-match interviews. “In England, someone like him wouldn’t even be allowed on a training pitch”.

“I can’t remember [my exact words], it’s possible [I used that language]”.