An Italian soccer manager was sacked on Monday after he appeared to headbutt a player from his club’s opponents at the end of a match on Sunday.
Lecce have sacked Roberto D’Aversa following the incident during the Serie A defeat to Hellas Verona. The act occurred after an altercation between Verona striker Thomas Henry and Lecce defender Marin Pongracic after the final whistle.
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US Lecce’s Roberto D’Aversa and Hellas Verona’s Thomas Henry got into an argument during a Serie A match. (Donato Fasano/Getty Images)
D’Aversa came to Henry and intervened. However, he was seen headbutting Henry in front of officials.
“Following what happened after the match between Lecce and Verona, Lecce would like to announce that they have sacked Roberto D’Aversa as coach,” Lecce said in a statement. “I would like to thank the coaches and staff for their hard work.”
D’Aversa explained his actions in an interview with Sky Sports.
“Verona were quite provocative towards the end of the game and after the final whistle, so I went on to the pitch to try to stop the players from being sent off,” he said.
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Roberto D’Aversa oversees the Serie A match between US Lecce and Hellas Verona FC held in Lecce, Italy on March 10, 2024. (Gabriele Maricchiolo/NurPhoto via Getty Images))
“It wasn’t good, I know that. It’s inexcusable and I was going to explain my actions to Verona. I didn’t go on the pitch to do that.”
He claimed on Instagram that he did not headbutt the player.
Lecce and Verona are locked in a tight battle to avoid relegation. Lecce have 25 points this season, but only gained one against Frosinone and two against Sassuolo. With the win, Verona now have 26 points.
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Lecce manager Roberto D’Aversa reacts during the Serie A soccer game against Frosinone at Stadio Benito Stilpe Stadium on March 3, 2024 in Frosinone, Italy. (Fabrizio Corradetti/Lapresse, via AP, File)
D’Aversa was appointed manager in June.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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