Maurizio Sarri admits he was wrong after slur at Roberto Mancini

Napoli boss Maurizio Sarri has admitted he was wrong after using 'heavily insulting' language towards Inter Milan manager Roberto Mancini.

Sarri was fined £15,000 and handed a two-match Coppa Italia ban after Mancini claimed his counterpart had hurled homophobic insults at him.

"There have been gay people in football, there are now and there will be in future. I hope this whole incident, born badly and ended well, can help people move forward and come into the open," Sarri told Italian magazine Chi.

"The problems on the touchline came just from technical rivalry. I was trying to hit Mancini on the fact he always steps on to the field dressed up to the nines, as if he's going to a dinner reception.

"I wanted to use the term 'Fighetto' - show-off - not something to do with sexual preference! The truth is, I am a proper Tuscan and I tend to swear a lot. I was wrong, I admit it."

Mancini, who made the original claim against Sarri, was also fined £3,800 for his part in the spat between the two during the Coppa Italia quarter-final match, which Inter won 2-0. While both men were found guilty by Serie A for insulting the fourth official.

Mancini said in an interview with Rai Sport after the match that Sarri had used unacceptable, offensive language during their confrontation.

"You have to ask Sarri what happened. Men like him shouldn't be in the world of football. He is 60 years old and must be ashamed," said Mancini.

"The fourth official heard everything, but didn't say a word, and I was sent off. This incident overshadows the rest of the match and is an embarrassment.

"He tried to find me after the match and asked for forgiveness, but he should be embarrassed. In England, someone like him wouldn't even be allowed on a training pitch."