Inter Milan's club captain Mauro Icardi is the No.1 pantomine villain for Nerazzurri fans at the moment.
There's been all sorts of jabs between both the player and a section of the Inter fans and it doesn't look like slowing down anytime soon.
It all stemmed from a defeat back in February 2015 where Inter suffered a disappointing loss at the hands of Sassuolo. There was an incident after the game where Icardi and Fredy Guarin had their shirts threw back at them when they went to give them to travelling fans.
The Argentine talked about the incident in his autobiography.
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His version reads:
"I am angry because I played so little. The fans start to shout: they call us to come over to their section. I find the courage to face them, along with Guarin.
"As I get closer, I receive insults and abuse of every kind. Attached to the netting is a kid who calls me: he wants my shirt.
"Considering his age, he could be my son: I take off my shirt and shorts and throw them to him, as a gift. This kid is in seventh heaven and I am pleased to see him so happy.
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"A head of the ultras jumps on him to take away the shirt and throws it back at me. This is when I start insulting him: 'Piece of ****, you are acting all arrogant with a little kid to show off to the rest of the curva? Do you think you're hard?'
"In the locker room I am acclaimed as a hero, because nobody had ever faced off that way with one of the fan leaders."
What caused even more of a stir was his comments that he would call upon a number of criminals from Argentina to tackle the ultras.
An extract from the book reads:
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"I am ready to face them one by one. How many are there? 50, 100, 200? OK, record my message and let him listen: I'll bring 100 criminals from Argentina who'll kill them where they stand, then we'll see."
As you would expect, Inter's 'Curva Nord' were angry and issued their own statement in response to the autobiography.
Deeming the incident to have been fabricated, they demanding that he relinquishes the captain's armband.
They said:
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"He talks about helping little kids, then invents an incident that never happened to make himself seem superior to us, as if it weren't obvious to all that we are the only Curva that helps kids design the choreography in the stands.
"You are finished with us. You're done. TAKE THE ARMBAND OFF, YOU CLOWN. Yes, that is what we demand."
Icardi then took to Instagram to clarify his earlier comments and apologise to the Inter ultras.
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As translated by Football Italia, his statement reads:
"I am surprised because I simply referred to the fact I lost my temper in the heat of the moment, combined with the adrenaline of the match and the bad moment the team was going through.
"I simply wanted to sum up the atmosphere of that incident. It's true that in the book I spat out some exaggerated phrases (and the verb spat gives a good idea of how inopportune my reaction was).
"As for the issue of getting assassins from Argentina, as people continued to tell me that I would've found some hooligans under my house (note: not the Curva Nord members, but hooligans), I said that phrase. In the biography I also wrote that 'I used threatening words towards the fans and I shouldn't have done that.'
"I am disappointed. Disappointed with the chaos that has been brought up. I simply gave my recollection of an incident. If I had the slightest brain in my skull, I certainly wouldn't have risked offending the curva. I didn't want to offend or disrespect anyone.
"The captain's armband represents the realisation of my childhood dreams, the joy that I gave first of all to my family and then to myself.
"You are the ones who I look out for every Sunday after scoring a goal, it is your embrace I seek first, because I love Inter.
"Imminently I will step on to the field, so I can't go on any more. I hope you understood how important you are for me and how much respect and love I have for you, even if you decide to jeer me.
"I ask you just one thing as captain: stay close to Inter, as you always have done, because my teammates and I need you. With affection, Mauro."
The Ultras weren't having it though, making their point clear through a series of banners.
"You use a child to kick us in the face. You are not a man, you are not a captain, you are just a coward piece of s***".
Inter suffered a 2-1 home loss at the hands of Cagliari and to make matters worse, Icardi missed a penalty.
The rivalry shows no signs of stopping and now a banner has been spotted outside Icardi's house, referencing his threat to bring some criminals down from Argentina.
The 23-year old looked set to be stripped of his captaincy but the club have now confirmed that he will remain skipper, although he will be sanctioned for comments made about the club's supporters.
We wait to see the next development in the saga...
(h/t Squawka)
Featured Image Credit:Topics: Mauro Icardi, Serie A, Inter Milan
