Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri was suspended for two games this Thursday for his expulsion in the Italian Cup final. The Turin team became champions after beating Atalanta, the day before, 1-0, at the Olympic Stadium in Rome.
The Disciplinary Commission of the Italian Football Federation justified its decision by Allegri’s “aggressive attitude” towards the fourth official and his return to the field of play after his expulsion, which was seen as “disrespectful behavior” towards the refereeing.
Very angry and visibly nervous, the coach took off his jacket and tie while shouting and gesturing after receiving a red card at the end of the match.
Shortly after the expulsion, Allegri applauded the field referee in an ironic manner, before addressing the fourth referee in an intimidating manner, until finally leaving the field and going to the dressing room.
The suspension must be served from the next edition of the Italian Cup.
The coach’s angry images generated great repercussions in Italy, where the press also widely commented that, at the awards ceremony, Allegri verbally confronted Juventus’ sporting director, Cristiano Giuntoli, and, later, on the way to the press conference, he threatened to attack the newspaper director Tuttosport.
For weeks, the Italian press has speculated that Juve plans to fire Allegri, who has a contract until 2025, and that his replacement would be Italian-Brazilian Thiago Motta, current Bologna coach.
With the 15th Italian Cup title, Juve ended a three-year drought without lifting a trophy. However, the general feeling within the club is one of great disappointment due to the team’s poor results this season, far from contention for the Scudetto.
Juventus is fourth in the Italian Championship, coming from a run of five draws in the last five games. This Monday, the team will face Bologna, in the 37th and penultimate round.
Source: Gazetaesportiva
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