Lazio and Maurizio Sarri released a statement explaining why the coach made a lewd gesture towards a supporter ahead of the match against Napoli.
The video clip caught the squad arriving at the airport and trying to push through a crowd of people.
Among the shouts, one was heard clearly saying ‘Forza Napoli.’
After that, Sarri turned and flipped the middle finger at someone behind him.
This clip went viral on social media and Napoli fans were furious, feeling that he had made the gesture towards someone just for praising what was after all his former club.
However, Lazio released a statement this evening from Sarri.
“Images are on social media of my gesture aimed towards someone who had insulted me. It was certainly not aimed at someone shouting forza Napoli.”
Sarri came close to the Scudetto on the Napoli bench, but his bond with the fans faltered after he continued his career at Chelsea, Juventus and then Lazio.
It is by no means the first time Sarri has been caught on camera flipping the bird, as he famously did so when in the front of the Napoli team bus surrounded by opposition fans.