Italy star Domenico Berardi chased fan giving him abuse, had to be restrained by police
Italy international Domenico Berardi had to be restrained by police after he tried to chase a fan who was giving him abuse.
On Monday night Sassuolo were eliminated from the Coppa Italia after losing 3-2 to Modena, who will play in Serie B after earning promoting from the third tier last term.
Berardi, Sassuolo's talisman, was on target from the spot but a brace from Nicola Mosti ensured it was the hosts who progressed into the second round.
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And after the game, Berardi lost his head after being verbally abused by a fan. It's not known what the fan said to rile him up - or which team he supported, but footage which went viral showed Berardi, wearing a white t-shirt, running over in an attempt get to the individual.
Sassuolo officials, police officers and a couple of fans tried to hold Berardi back. He initially got away from them but was escorted away before he could do something he might leave to regret.
The former Juventus forward took to Instagram to apologise for his behaviour, writing: “I want to apologise for what happened outside the stadium after the game against Modena. We are professionals and, above all, we must be examples for youths and kids. Today I didn’t behave as such.
“That’s because the things that I love the most, such as my wife and my son, were deliberately involved off the pitch, hurting me deeply. I also renew my apologies to the opposing fans.”
The Euro 2020 winner Berardi Sassuolo secure promotion to Serie A in his very first season with the club and has gone on to score a total of 113 goals for IÂ Neroverdi.
Josh Lawless