Referee Nicola Rizzoli reiterates that Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci “did not headbutt me”.
The centre-back was booked in the Derby della Mole against Torino for protesting about the award of a penalty.
Following the match, a still was circulated on the internet which appeared to show Bonucci putting his head on the referee, though video shows that wasn’t the case.
Referee Nicola Rizzoli reiterates that Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci “did not headbutt me”.
The centre-back was booked in the Derby della Mole against Torino for protesting about the award of a penalty.
Following the match, a still was circulated on the internet which appeared to show Bonucci putting his head on the referee, though video shows that wasn’t the case.
While Rizzoli has been clear that the Bianconeri man didn’t headbutt him, Gonzalo Higuain’s suspension for pushing Massimiliano Irrati has brought the “incident” to light again.
“Bonucci didn’t headbutt me,” Rizzoli reiterated in a statement.
“I was the one who pushed him, to take him away from the additional referee. The player simply went overboard in his protestations.
“There was no head-to-head, the images don’t show the reality of what happened. If he had headbutted me, then I wouldn’t have shown only a yellow.
“There is too much aggravation and lack of knowledge of the rules in the world of football, we as referees must hold our hands up when we fail to improve the culture of football, the others – players, managers, Coaches and journalists – should do the same.
“Higuain? I think everyone who plays in Serie A should take into account that they’re setting an example for those at the bottom of the pyramid, the risk of blind, gratuitous violence is always around the corner.
“Not because of that incident, I’m talking in a broader sense about the violent actions of many players.
“I’ve seen a video where there’s unprecedented violence from a player in the Seconda Categoria [eight-tier] where the player who has just been sent-off aims a kick at the referee.
“Those who play in Serie A must take into account those at the bottom of the pyramid.”