Napoli Coach Maurizio Sarri insisted he is not homophobic after Roberto Mancini accepted his apology.
The tactician received a two-round Coppa Italia ban following his ugly touchline row with Inter boss Mancini, in which he was found guilty of using homophobic terms aimed at the Nerazzurri Coach.
Napoli Coach Maurizio Sarri insisted he is not homophobic after Roberto Mancini accepted his apology.
The tactician received a two-round Coppa Italia ban following his ugly touchline row with Inter boss Mancini, in which he was found guilty of using homophobic terms aimed at the Nerazzurri Coach.
This evening Inter and Mancini formally accepted Sarri’s apology, but it turns out this was brokered by TV show Le Iene, who interviewed both managers.
A snippet of the Sarri interview has been released by Mediaset, in which he was asked about the incident.
“I would’ve made peace with Mancini after three seconds, I have absolutely nothing against him. It was just an insult that arrived in a moment of anger, so it wasn’t to do with discrimination.
“Should gay marriage be legalised? Clearly, that goes without saying! With regards to adoptions I think there needs to be a specific law that allows for this possibility.
“Am I homophobic? That’s an attitude that is a long way off where I stand.”
Gay rights groups had invited Sarri to the Gay Pride Parade in Naples this weekend.
“I cannot attend because I’ll be working to prepare the match on Saturday. I’d happily chat to the group organising it.”
Le Iene also interviewed Mancini at the Inter training camp.
“Hopefully we can make peace and set a positive example for everyone. Do I agree with gay marriage? Of course, we are in 2016, for crying out loud! It’s not 1500! Gay adoption? Also right.”
Mancini was told Sarri had replied the same way.
“I’m happy! You can really tell he feels that way!”
The Inter boss also slammed reports in La Gazzetta dello Sport that he had used the same homophobic slur against one of their writers.
“It’s a huge lie and I have a witness who was there with me. I have never used that type of insult.”