Manager of Italian Soccer Club Lecce Dismissed for Alleged Physical Altercation with Opponent

Italian soccer club US Lecce has decided to let go of manager Roberto D’Aversa due to an incident involving him allegedly headbutting a Verona player after their Serie A match on Sunday. Following Lecce’s 1-0 loss at home, videos that have been circulating online show D’Aversa walking towards Verona player Thomas Henry and seemingly hitting him with his head.

Henry quickly fell to the ground and then charged at the coach. As a result of their actions, both Henry and D’Aversa were given red cards.

Following the incident, Lecce issued a statement on Sunday denouncing D’Aversa's behavior. The next day, Lecce confirmed in another statement that the 48-year-old coach had been dismissed from his position.

U.S. Lecce has announced that they have relieved coach D'Aversa of his duties following the events at the end of the Lecce - Verona match. CNN has contacted D'Aversa's representatives for a comment on his dismissal.

D'Aversa and Verona's Thomas Henry (in white, No. 9) got into a heated scuffle after the match.

D'Aversa and Verona's Thomas Henry (in white, No. 9) got into a heated scuffle after the match.

According to Sky Italia, the 48-year-old apologized for the incident in a post-match interview. He expressed regret and stated, "I would like to apologize to everyone and at the same time reconstruct the sad and unpleasant episode that saw me as a negative protagonist at the end of Lecce-Verona."

I had a physical confrontation with Henry, but I want to clarify that it wasn't a headbutt from either of us. It was a moment of intense tension and adrenaline, resulting in a bad example of unsportsmanlike behavior, which I take responsibility for without making excuses.

Lecce is currently in 15th place in the Serie A table, two spots behind Verona. They have only managed one draw and suffered four losses in their last five games.

CNN has contacted Serie A to ask if D’Aversa will be sanctioned by the league.

Editor's P/S:

The incident involving Lecce manager Roberto D'Aversa and Verona player Thomas Henry has cast a dark shadow over Italian soccer. D'Aversa's alleged headbutt, caught on camera, is a clear breach of conduct unbecoming of a coach. The subsequent dismissal from his position sends a strong message that such behavior will not be tolerated in the sport.

This incident highlights the importance of maintaining composure and professionalism in the face of adversity. While emotions can run high in competitive sports, resorting to violence is never acceptable. It is crucial for coaches, players, and officials to set a positive example for young athletes and fans alike. The governing bodies of soccer have a responsibility to enforce strict penalties for such misconduct to deter future occurrences and uphold the integrity of the game.