Inter Milan coach Roberto Mancini has accused Napoli manager Maurizio Sarri of calling him a faggot.
The two Serie A heavyweights clashed in the Italian Cup on Tuesday evening, as Inter defeated their rivals 2-0 to advance to the semi-final of the domestic club competition.
The two managers, whose sides currently occupy two of the top three positions in the Italian top flight (Napoli top, Inter third), argued throughout the tie, which was settled following goals from ex-Manchester City forward Stevan Jovetic and Adem Ljajic.
After the match, speaking to Rai TV [as per The Guardian], a clearly shaken Mancini revealed the details of Sarri’s searing homophobic and racist rant.
“The confrontation on the touchline? You have to ask Sarri about that, he is a racist. People like him do not belong in football. He used racist words. I stood up to ask about the five minutes being added on and Sarri shouted ‘poof’ and ‘faggot’ at me. I would be proud to be that if he is what’s considered a man,” Mancini began.
“People like him should not be in football. He is 60 years old. The fourth official heard but didn’t say anything. He came to see me in the changing room to apologise but he should really be ashamed of himself.”
The manager was dismissed towards the end of the game, having totally missed Ljajic’s effort, after fuming at Sarri and the fourth official, in a row prompted when the assistant referee accidentally showed nine minutes of added time—rather than five—before changing his mind.
Mancini is under increasing pressure at Inter, who have ceded top spot in the league after winning only one of their last four matches.
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