Inter's Mancini condemns Napoli's Sarri for making homophobic remarks
Inter Milan manager Roberto Mancini has denounced Napoli counterpart Maurizio Sarri for calling him a "faggot" in a heated exchange in stoppage time of the Nerazzurri's 2-0 win on Tuesday.
The two bench bosses approached each other after Adem Ljajic scored the second goal to ensure Inter's spot in the semifinals of the Coppa Italia. Mancini was sent off, and he revealed in a post-match interview with Rai Sport that Sarri had aimed homophobic barbs at him.
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"Sarri is a racist, and men like him cannot be a part of football," Mancini said. "I went up to ask the fourth official why there were five minutes of stoppage time, and he got up and shouted 'queer' and 'faggot' at me. A 60-year-old man who behaves this way is shameful.
"In England, someone like him wouldn’t even be allowed to set foot on the touchline."
In a response moments later, Sarri told Rai that he couldn't remember the exact wording of his comments, but added that he apologised to Mancini in the dressing room after the match.
"I was angry about the decision to send off (Dries) Mertens. I have nothing against Mancini," said Sarri, referring to the dismissal of Mertens after he received a second yellow card for diving. "These are things that should stay on the pitch."
Sarri has been suspected of using such language before. While managing Empoli, he allegedly said that football "is becoming a sport for faggots," according to the Guardian's Marcus Christenson. "In Italy, we blow the whistle ... with homosexual interpretations."
The Napoli coach has received praise for his work this season, guiding the southern club to first place in Serie A for the first time in 26 years.