Serie D, The crazy gesture of the Virtus Francavilla coach against the referee

Another episode of violence against a referee, this time it happened in Serie D. At the end of the match between Barletta and Virtus Francavilla, 18th matchday of group H, the guest coach Roberto Taurino approached the referee protesting in a heated manner for some episodes that occurred during the match which ended without goals. Gabriele Sciolti, from the Lecce section, drew the red. But the coach sent the card flying with a slap and was pushed away with difficulty by the rest of the team. A reckless gesture that risks costing the coach a huge disqualification. “The final nervousness is the consequence of the management of the match and of some not positive attitudes on the part of the referee – was the comment of Mariano Fernandez, sporting director of Virtus Francavilla – they were certainly heated protests that could have been avoided”. Apologies – Roberto Taurino was a player and captain of Virtus Francavilla. Born in Lecce in 1977, as a coach he also led Avellino to Serie C in 2022.

REPENTANCE

—

Having disposed of his anger and assuming all responsibility, the coach of the Apulian club apologized for what happened in a statement: “I would like to express my most sincere apologies for what happened at the end of the match. The gesture made towards the referee was the result of the tension of the moment and in no way reflects the values of respect, balance and fairness that I consider fundamental in sport – reads the note -. In my gesture, which was absolutely reprehensible, there was no violent or intimidating intent. I I have already personally expressed my regret to the club and I publicly renew my full respect for the match officials and the sporting institutions. I accept all responsibility for what happened and I am committed to ensuring that similar incidents do not happen again. Football must be an example of education and loyalty. I am the first to want to represent these principles with consistency and seriousness.” Now we await the Sports Judge’s decision, which could cost Taurino a long stop.