Football
Ben Gladwell, Italy correspondent 7y

Juventus' Massimiliano Allegri: Row with Leonardo Bonucci is forgotten

Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri says his row with Leonardo Bonucci is now in the past, adding that he does not want to hear any more about the incident.

According to reports in Italy, including in Gazzetta dello Sport and Corriere dello Sport, Allegri told club bosses on Saturday that if they did not come down hard on Bonucci, he would be forced to leave Juve.

The altercation between the pair, which started on the pitch late on in Juve's 4-1 win over Palermo on Friday night, is reported to have continued in the dressing room after the game.

Bonucci raced off the field at the final whistle without saluting the fans or Allegri and this is reported to have further incensed his coach, who confronted him once he had also returned to the dressing room.

Bonucci was consequently dropped for Juve's 2-0 win at Porto in the Champions League on Wednesday, with Allegri saying the defender had apologised while announcing that he would be making a charitable donation for making such a negative impression on the touchline.

At a news conference on Friday, Allegri insisted there was nothing more to the issue than had already been said, while adding that he hoped he would not hear about it again.

"The issue is definitely over," Allegri said. "We decided together with the club and the president. I spoke with [general manager Beppe] Marotta, [sporting director Fabio] Paratici and [president Andrea] Agnelli, and we all decided together on a line which I think is right, given the rules and discipline of a club like Juventus.

"These are things that happen. Leo is an important player and he apologised. The whole issue was already over before and he is now available for selection again.

"I want to close things here -- I can only repeat that over the course of a year, these things happen. It was seen by the whole world what happened on the field, but things happen also behind the scenes. You need discipline and respect, regardless of the Bonucci incident.

"With great respect for Leo, who is an extraordinary player, [Andrea] Barzagli and [Giorgio] Chiellini were outstanding [against Porto] and I could have left Leo out anyway. It's right we end this now and think of tomorrow as we need three points against Empoli."

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