Napoli have confirmed they will appeal the two-match touchline ban handed to head coach Massimiliano Allegri following their 3-3 draw with Roma on Saturday. Allegri was sent off shortly after Leonardo Balerdi equalised for Roma in the closing stages and was punished for an "insulting remark" towards match officials and for adopting an "aggressive attitude" towards a Roma staff member.
Allegri believed Roma's equaliser should have been disallowed, arguing that Balerdi had fouled Sam Beukema in the build-up. He reacted angrily to the goal being allowed and received a straight red card. The 59-year-old will miss Napoli's upcoming Serie A away games against Monza on Wednesday and Juventus on Sunday, and has also been fined €10,000 (£8,382). The Lega Serie A confirmed the punishment on Sunday.
The Lega's statement said Allegri made a disrespectful remark to the match officials during the game and repeated the disrespect in the dressing rooms, where he also acted aggressively towards an official of the opposing team. The incidents were reported by the Fourth Official and the referee, with the final one also reported by collaborators of the Federal Prosecutor's Office.
Napoli responded quickly, saying they had requested access to the relevant documents and would lodge an appeal. After the match, Allegri denied speaking to the fourth official who had him dismissed, saying, "I said absolutely nothing." He added that he had paid €80,000 in fines last season and questioned why he was punished for moving on the touchline when others were not.
Source: ESPN Soccer · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing