Roma’s Daniele De Rossi has apologised for making a clearly offensive remark to Juventus forward Mario Mandzukic.
The unsavoury incident occurred during the Lupi’s 1-0 defeat to the Bianconeri last Sunday, in which De Rossi allegedly called the Croatian a ‘gypsy’ after a handball incident on the half-hour mark.
“You have all seen what has happened,” said the 32-year-old to Le Iene. “A video camera has caught me whilst I said a phrase that I should not have used.
“Every now and then, these negative things happen on the pitch, but that it is not to say that they are justified.”
The Italy international went on to declare that this type of language should be avoided when on the football field, although did state that if one were to succumb to their passions, then they should at least take the advice of Roma boss Luciano Spalletti, and hide their mouths whilst speaking.
“Let’s not use this phrase,” De Rossi added. “Or like Spalletti said, we should at least cover our mouths.
“I am sorry to whoever was offended by me saying this phrase.”
Source: forzaitalianfootball.com