Throwback to when Roberto Mancini allegedly labeled a journalist as ‘fa**ot’
Sarri has been banned for two Coppa Italia games after that Mancini had denounced him at the end of the game, but the former Man City manager also used a homophobic slur on a journalist during his time as Fiorentina manager, Firenzeviola and La Gazzetta dello Sport report.
According to the ‘Rosea’, Mancini called the Gazzetta dello Sport’s journalist Alessio Da Ronch ‘fa**ot’ during a private meeting held at the end of a press conference during the 2001-2002 campaign, when Mancini was in charge of La Viola.
Mancini had just read an article by Da Ronch in which the Italian journalist was reporting on then-Firentina midfielder Leandro Amaral’s unauthorized Christmas trip to Brazil.
“When Alessio [Da Ronch] was about to exit the conversation, Mancini shouted ‘f***ing fa**ot’ at him, provoking the journalist’s reaction”, La Gazzetta reports.
“Mancini and Da Ronch were split up by another journalist and Fiorentina’s press officer who were passing by the scene.”
Mancini, by the way, has denied that he has ever labeled anyone as ‘fa**ot’ through his official website.
“What I said after the Napoli game is simply in line with me and my culture. I don’t want everyone to share my way of being in football, but I want to be respected”, the message reads.
“I’d like to put an end to this story and all these speculations that are coming with it. I have never labeled anyone in ‘that way’ because it has never been part of my language.”
“I am very upset, but I want everyone to focus on Inter’s next games and on the rest of the season.”
Lorenzo Bettoni @lorebetto
