NAPOLI BOSS SARRI IS A RACIST BLASTS MANCINI

Intern Milan manager Roberto Mancini has called Napoli boss Maurizio Sarri a "racist'' and saying he was subjected to homophobic abuse as the pair locked horns on the sidelines towards the end of Tuesday night's Coppa Italia quarterfinal at San Paolo.
"You have to ask Sarri what happened as he is a racist,'' Mancini said. "Men like him shouldn't be in the world of football. He is 60 years old and must be ashamed.
"I got up to ask about the five minutes of injury time and he yelled 'f-----.' I would be happy to be one if he is what's considered a man.
"The fourth official heard everything, but didn't say a word, and I was sent off. This incident overshadows the rest of the match and is an embarrassment.
"He tried to find me after the match and asked for forgiveness, but he should be embarrassed. In England, someone like him wouldn't even be allowed on a training pitch.''
In a separate interview, Sarri responded to the criticism, claiming no offence had been intended.
"It was the kind of argument that people have on the touchline or on the pitch. I apologised to him in the locker room, but I expected him to apologise to me too. I think what happened on the pitch should stay on the pitch,'' the Napoli manager said.
"I can't remember [my exact words], it's possible I used that language. I was fired up and angry, so I'm not sure what I said.
"Am I homophobic? That seems over the top. I was just irritable. I said something out of rage at the Dries Mertens red card and I have nothing against Mancini. We are men of sport, these things happen, and it only lasted 10 seconds.''
In a separate post-match television interview, Sarri responded to the criticism, claiming no offence had been intended.
"It was late in the game and I was still angry about Dries Mertens getting sent off,'' the Napoli manager said to Rai Sport. "What I said wasn't at all directed towards Mancini and once the game ended then he should have dropped it there.
"I even reached out to him at the end of the game to apologise and he should have accepted it. Every man should be prepared to forgive.
"And honestly I don't even recall what it is that I said. I was frustrated and might have offended him. I hope that tomorrow, when things are calmer and have settled down, that he can accept my apology.''
Sarri, 57, hoped the matter could be put behind them.
"I think the whole thing is a being exaggerated, they were words of anger, not homophobic comments,'' he continued. "Mertens had been sent off and I yelled out in frustration and without the intent of offending. My actions were neither sexist nor racist, simply the product of anger. But I accept that another could think differently.
"Beyond apologising, there's not much more I can do. I will try to call him Mancini tomorrow.
"It is true that certain words should not be used, but then again I've heard much worse. I have no stance on the issue of homosexuality. It was just a word I blurted out in the heat of the moment.''