Thursday 21 January 2016 15:39, UK
Napoli boss Maurizio Sarri has been given a two-match Coppa Italia ban and fined £15,000 for using "heavily insulting" language towards Inter Milan coach Roberto Mancini.
Mancini, who claimed Sarri hurled homophobic insults at him, has been fined £3,800 for his part in a spat between the two on the touchline during Tuesday night's quarter-final, which Inter won 2-0.
Both men were found guilty by Serie A for insulting the fourth official.
Tempers boiled over between the two benches when Inter secured the victory in injury time and Mancini was eventually sent to the stands.
The former Manchester City manager claimed in a post-match television interview with Rai Sport 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, who claimed to have been subjected to two homophobic phrases.
"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."
In a separate interview, Sarri responded to the criticism, claiming no offence had been intended.
"It was the kind of argument that people have on the touchline or on the pitch. I apologised to him in the locker room, but I expected him to apologise to me too. I think what happened on the pitch should stay on the pitch," he said.
"I can't remember [my exact words], it's possible [I used that language]. I was fired up and angry, so I'm not sure what I said.
"Am I homophobic? That seems over the top. I was just irritable. I said something out of rage at the Dries Mertens red card and I have nothing against Mancini. We are men of sport, these things happen, and it only lasted 10 seconds."
