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Lecce has terminated the contract of their coach, Roberto D’Aversa, following an incident where he intentionally struck another player with his head during their defeat to Hellas Verona last weekend.
After their 1-0 loss in Serie A on Sunday, D’Aversa intentionally used his head to hit Verona striker Thomas Henry.
Later that day, the club issued a statement denouncing the incident and has now fired the 48-year-old.
“The club has released a statement regarding the outcome of the Lecce – Verona match, stating that coach Roberto D’Aversa’s responsibilities have been terminated.”
D’Aversa and Henry both received a red card, prompting an apology from the manager who joined Lecce in June 2023. He acknowledged that his players had been provoked throughout the game leading up to the incident.
According to D’Aversa’s statement to Sky Sports, I intervened on the field in an attempt to prevent my players from receiving red cards, as Verona was continuously provoking us during the last moments of the game and even after the game had ended.
“I am aware that what I did was wrong and inexcusable. I have apologized and explained my actions to Verona. I did not enter the field with the intention of doing that.”
Lecce won five of their 28 league games this season which leaves them in 15th place on 25 points, one point above the relegation zone, while Verona overtook them with their win to move to 13th on 26 points.
Reuters
Source: independent.co.uk
