Napoli manager Allegri banned after Roma outburst as injuries deepen defensive problems

Massimiliano Allegri will miss Napoli’s next two matches after being suspended and fined €10,000 for his conduct during the 3-3 draw with Roma.

The Italian league’s sporting judge, Gerardo Mastrandrea, imposed the punishment after the eighth round of Serie A, according to the official ruling reported by Tuttosport.

Allegri was sent off after reacting angrily to the referee when Roma scored their equaliser in a dramatic match in which Napoli led twice before conceding the advantage.

The ruling said the manager directed “an insulting phrase” at the referee during the final minute of normal time in the second half. It also said he used “a phrase showing grave disrespect” inside the dressing rooms and adopted an aggressive attitude towards an official from the opposing club.

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

As a result, Allegri will be unable to take charge from the technical area when Napoli host Monza on Wednesday and travel to face Juventus in Turin next Sunday.

Napoli have announced that they intend to appeal the two-match suspension and have requested access to the documents relating to the case. The club has not disclosed the grounds on which the appeal will be based.

A separate disciplinary case could also follow comments reportedly made by Allegri after the match, before his news conference.

Referring to Roma, Allegri is reported to have said: “Last year they put the Champions League in their pockets… it’s always them.”

That remark was not included in Mastrandrea’s ruling, meaning a separate investigation by the sporting prosecutor remains possible. No such decision has been announced.

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

Napoli’s problems have also increased because of injuries to defenders Benoit Badiashile and Leonardo Spinazzola. Both players will miss the matches against Monza and Juventus, as well as the Champions League fixture against Porto.

Napoli said Badiashile’s medical tests showed a moderate tear to the rectus femoris muscle in his right thigh. Spinazzola suffered muscular discomfort in the closing stages against Roma, with scans revealing a grade-one tear to the biceps femoris in his right thigh.

The pair are expected to miss the next three games, while Badiashile will also be unavailable for the meeting with Lazio. Spinazzola could recover in time for that match.

Amir Rrahmani has returned to full team training, a positive development for Allegri, although the manager may choose to rest the defender against Monza in preparation for the Juventus match. Rrahmani has missed Napoli’s recent games.

Badiashile could return against Torino on 21 November or in the important Champions League away match against Manchester City, leaving Allegri to find a new solution in defence during a congested period.