After Inter scored to make it 2-0 against Napoli yesterday, Inter's Roberto Mancini got into it with Napoli boss Maurizio Sarri on the sideline. Mancini was sent off for his role, but after the game he kept firing. He called Sarri a "racist" and accused him of calling him a "faggot."Sarri e Mancini, non è amore… #NapoliInter pic.twitter.com/MejRUCsm9m
— Andrea Poma (@andypoma87) January 19, 2016
Sarri did apologize to Mancini in the locker room after the match, but Mancini was firm: "People like him should not be in football," he said. "He should really be ashamed of himself." Sarri was asked about the incident after match and denied any homophobia, saying he has no stance on homosexuality and he just said some things he shouldn't have in the heat of the moment. Though, he did allow that "another could think differently."Now, as news swirls about a possible ban, Sarri has continued to defend himself and he's chosen a well-worn shield: The I Actually Have Friends gambit. According to Gazzetta World, Sarri said he couldn't be homophobic because "he has had gay friends in the past, one of whom passed away recently." Presumably homosexuality is not the reason he is no longer friends with those, still alive, gay people who he used to be friends with.When a decision is based on Sarri's punishment, it sounds like it might not be as hefty as it could be, because Roberto Mancini is not himself gay. Italy's Giustizia Sportiva is set to decide the matter on Thursday. Reports are that he will only be charged with creating a general offense, and not a homophobic one because the target of his homophobic offense was not gay.[Gazzetta World]"The confrontation on the touchline? You have to ask Sarri about that, he is a racist. People like him do not belong in football. He used racist words. I stood up to ask about the five minutes being added on and Sarri shouted 'poof' and 'faggot' at me. I would be proud to be that if he is what's considered a man."