Serie A side Lecce sack their manager after shocking headbutt on opposition player

Serie A side Lecce have sacked manager after he headbutted an opposition player in a shocking moment on Sunday.

Roberto D'Aversa was in the dugout for Lecce's 1-0 home defeat to Verona, who won at Stadio Via del Mare courtesy of a strike from Michael Folorunsho in the 17th minute.

But things got extremely heated near the end of the game, with Verona substitute Thomas Henry squaring up to Marin Pongracic.

The two then went at it again at the final whistle and Lecce boss D'Aversa stepped in.

But the 48-year-old did the exact opposite of diffusing the situation and instead planted a headbutt on Henry.

Henry fell to the floor for a brief moment before jumping back to his feet and having to be held back by teammates as he tried to go after D'Aversa

The former Sampdoria manager received a red card for his behaviour, while Henry was also dismissed by referee Daniele Chiffi.

In response, the club said it "strongly condemns" the actions of D'Aversa.

But on Monday morning, a day after the incident, the club decided his position was unattainable and announced they had sacked him.

A statement on the official Lecce website said: After the events that occurred at the end of the Lecce - Verona match, US Lecce announces that it has relieved coach Roberto D'Aversa of his duties.

"Thanks go to the coach and his staff for the work done."

Confronted about his conduct, D'Aversa claimed that he was trying to calm things down and did not plan the headbutt.

He then issued an apology for actions, which have now resulted in his dismissal.

"There was an excited final, already in the last minutes of the match where there were some provocations. My initial intent was not to cause damage to my players, I didn't want my boys to get disqualifications," D'Aversa told Sky Italia.

"Then Henry and I came into contact, the gesture wasn't nice to see, my intention was to divide everyone, but he continued to provoke. We spoke to the managers and that was it. I certainly didn't enter the field to headbutt a player and it was nothing premeditated.

"Otherwise I would have said so. Looking back at the images they say one thing, I say that they are the consequence of a series of provocations at the end of the match. I've already spoken to the Verona managers. I apologize for the gesture, it's not nice to see."

Lecce are 15th in Serie A but Sunday's defeat leaves them just one point above the relegation zone.

Featured Image Credit: Sky Italy

Topics: Serie A

Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

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