Lecce released a formal statement ‘condemning’ the behaviour of coach Roberto D’Aversa after he headbutted Verona striker Thomas Henry, amid reports he could be fired.
The incident occurred after the final whistle in a 1-0 home defeat this afternoon, decided by the deflected Michael Folorunsho effort.
Henry had already been booked for arguing with Marin Pongracic and was in a crowd of players when D’Aversa was filmed by Sky Sport Italia walking over and trying to headbutt the Verona forward.
Don’t see that everyday 😳 pic.twitter.com/TCKkvZKIXq
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) March 10, 2024
D’Aversa and Henry were both sent off and will likely face lengthy bans, but notably the coach insisted it was not a ‘premeditated’ gesture and blamed the Verona player for ‘provocation.’
Lecce officials evidently did not appreciate that response from the coach and released their own formal statement.
“With regards to the incident involving coach D’Aversa and Verona player Henry, albeit evaluating the general tension at the end of the game, U.S. Lecce firmly condemn the gesture of its coach, as it is against the principles and values of this sport.”
The home defeat also means Lecce slide back towards the danger zone and are overtaken by Verona in the Serie A table.
It all puts D’Aversa in a tricky position and there are suggestions he could be sacked.
🟡🔴 𝙉𝙤𝙩𝙖 𝙐.𝙎. 𝙇𝙚𝙘𝙘𝙚https://t.co/NMtUhyHVng
— U.S. Lecce (@OfficialUSLecce) March 10, 2024