Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri was suspended for two matches after being sent off in the Italian Cup final in a 1-0 win over Atalanta on Wednesday, according to what the local federation announced on Thursday.
The Federation’s Disciplinary Committee justified its decision by referring in particular to “his aggressive behavior toward the fourth assistant referee,” in addition to “his return to the field after being expelled for disrespectful behavior toward the referees.”
Allegri, who saved his season after Juventus did not win the league title for the fourth season in a row, threw his shirt and tie on the field and shouted at the fourth official during the final minutes of the match in which he won against Atalanta and was crowned champion for the 15th time in the history of the “Old Lady.”
The 56-year-old coach sarcastically clapped in the face of the main referee after he was sent off in the fifth minute of stoppage time at the end of the match, then approached the fourth official in a threatening manner.
Allegri left the field four minutes before the referee blew his final whistle, before returning to celebrate with the players.
The penalty will, of course, be imposed on him in the next edition of the competition.
Not only did Allegri attack the referees, but video clips showed him attacking the club’s sporting director, Cristiano Giuntoli, on the field after the end of the match. He also threatened the editor-in-chief of the Tuttosport daily on his way to the press conference.
Local media have been talking for weeks about the approaching dismissal of Allegri, whose contract runs until 2025, and the approaching departure of Bologna coach Thiago Motta to succeed him.
Juventus has declined significantly in terms of results in the recent period, as it tied five consecutive matches in the league and lost the second leg of the cup semi-final to Lazio 1-2, but qualified by benefiting from its 2-0 victory in the first leg.
The “Old Lady” team, which secured its qualification to the Champions League, is in fourth place with 67 points, on goal difference from third-placed Bologna, with whom it plays on Monday in the 37th penultimate round.
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