Lecce dismissed the Italian Roberto D’Aversa from the position of first coach this Monday after he attacked the Frenchman Thomas Henry, Hellas Verona player, after his team’s defeat.
“After the events that occurred at the end of the Lecce – Verona match, Lecce announces that it has relieved coach Roberto D’Aversa of his duties. Thanks to the coach and his staff for the work done,” the club reported.
The events to which Lecce refers date back to the end of Lecce-Verona, with a defeat for the locals (0-1), when the coach, as soon as the intense duel ended, He directed Henry and hit him with a headbutt that cost him a direct red card.
The player, who went to the locker room with a mark on his cheekbone as a result of the blow, also ended up being sent off due to the brawl that arose after the game.
“In reference to the episode between coach D’Aversa and Verona player Henry, evaluating the situation of general nervousness at the end of the matchLecce firmly condemns its coach’s gesture for being contrary to the principles and sports values”, was the club’s letter.
Lecce coach apologizes after headbutting
For his part, D’Aversa apologized on social networks, although he assured that it was not a headbutt.
“I would like to apologize to everyone. and at the same time briefly reconstruct the sad and unpleasant episode in which I had a negative role at the end of the Lecce-Verona match. I came into head-to-head contact with Henry, but I did not hit the Verona player with my head, nor did I receive any from him,” he published this Sunday on his Instagram.
“It was a physical contact, a very bad example, an unsportsmanlike image born from great tension and adrenaline, but it should not and will not be my excuse or mitigating factor. I was wrong and I apologize,” she added.
And he concluded: “I got carried away by the heat of the moment and lost my lucidity, but not to the point of hitting another person. This does not belong to me, I reject it and I do not accept it. Once again I apologize to Henry“, to the public of Lecce, Verona and Italy, to the referees, to the two clubs, to my board, to my staff and to my team.”
Keep reading:
– Nightmare for Draw Martínez: Tottenham beat Aston Villa 0-4