Napoli coach Sarri banned for 2 matches for anti-gay slurs

Posted January 21, 2016 6:00 am

The Associated Press

Inter's forward Stevan Jovetic scores during their Italian Cup soccer match between Napoli and Inter Milan, at the San Paolo stadium in Naples, Italy, Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2016 . (Ciro Fusco/ANSA via AP Photo) ITALY OUT The Associated Press

MILAN (AP) - Napoli coach Maurizio Sarri has been banned for two Italian Cup matches and fined 20,000 euros ($22,000) for "directing extremely insulting epithets" toward his Inter Milan counterpart, Roberto Mancini.

Sarri was sanctioned after making anti-gay slurs to Mancini during Napoli's 2-0 loss in the quarterfinals on Tuesday.

Napoli says Thursday's decision "formally clarifies" that Sarri's comments were delivered in anger but were not driven by racist or anti-gay discrimination.

The club says it hopes Mancini "can accept the apologies which have repeatedly been offered."

Mancini was fined 5,000 euros ($5,422) for "an intimidating attitude toward the coach of the opposing team, who had insulted him" and for being "disrespectful" toward the fourth official in the dressing room after the match.

Both coaches were sent off in stoppage time following a touchline argument.

Inter's Adem Ljajic celebrates after scoring during the Italian Cup soccer match between Napoli and Inter Milan, at the San Paolo stadium in Naples, Italy, Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2016 . (Ciro Fusco/ANSA via AP Photo) ITALY OUT The Associated Press

Inter's Adem Ljajic scores during the Italian Cup soccer match between Napoli and Inter Milan, at the San Paolo stadium in Naples, Italy, Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2016 . (Ciro Fusco/ANSA via AP Photo) ITALY OUT The Associated Press

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