Massimiliano Allegri banned for two matches after Napoli’s Roma draw

Napoli manager Massimiliano Allegri has been suspended for two matches and fined €10,000 after being sent off during his side’s 3-3 draw with Roma.

Allegri reacted angrily to the referee after Roma scored their equaliser in a match Napoli led twice before surrendering victory. The Italian league’s sporting judge, Gerardo Mastrandrea, announced the punishment following the eighth round of Serie A fixtures, according to TuttoSport.

The official ruling said Allegri directed an “insulting phrase” at the referee during the final minute of normal time in the second half. He then used a phrase showing “serious disrespect” inside the dressing rooms and adopted an aggressive attitude towards an official from the opposing team.

The incidents were reported by the match referee and fourth official, while the final offence was recorded by staff from the sporting prosecutor’s office.

As a result, Allegri will be unable to lead Napoli from the technical area for Wednesday’s match against Monza and Sunday’s meeting with Juventus in Turin.

Napoli have confirmed they intend to appeal against the two-match suspension and have requested access to the case documents. The club has not revealed the grounds on which its appeal will be based.

A separate disciplinary case could also follow comments allegedly made by Allegri after the match and before his news conference. Referring to Roma, he reportedly said: “Last year they put the Champions League in their pockets… they are always the same.”

TuttoSport reported that the remark did not appear in the sporting judge’s ruling, meaning the possibility of a separate investigation by the sporting prosecutor remains open. No such decision has yet been announced.

Elsewhere, Lecce player Kialonda Gaspar was suspended for two matches. Lecce were fined €15,000, while Udinese received a €3,000 fine and Cagliari, Lazio and Parma were each fined €2,000.

Napoli suffer defensive injury blow

Napoli have also confirmed injuries to defenders Benoit Badiashile and Leonardo Spinazzola, ruling both players out of the matches against Monza and Juventus, as well as the Champions League fixture against Porto.

The club said Badiashile’s tests showed a moderate tear to the rectus femoris muscle in his right thigh. Spinazzola suffered muscular discomfort during the closing stages of the game against Roma and was diagnosed with a grade-one tear to the biceps femoris in his right thigh.

The injuries add to the defensive problems Allegri has been managing, particularly with Amir Rrahmani having missed recent matches. Napoli said Rrahmani has returned to full team training, although TuttoSport suggested Allegri could choose not to risk him against Monza and instead prepare him for the match against Juventus.

Badiashile and Spinazzola are expected to miss the fixtures against Monza, Juventus and Porto. Badiashile will also be absent against Lazio, while Spinazzola could still recover in time for that game.

Badiashile may return against Torino on 21 November or in the important European away match against Manchester City, leaving Allegri with another challenge as he attempts to reorganise Napoli’s defence during a congested period.