Juventus president Andrea Agnelli insists he was caught up in the heat of the moment during last week’s row with Antonio Conte.
Agnelli is alleged to have insulted the Inter boss on multiple occasions during the sides’ Coppa Italia semi-final second leg at the Allianz Stadium, which saw Juve secure their spot in the final with a goalless draw.
He was awarded the Tapiro d’Oro (Golden Tapir) today for his actions, a weekly satirical prize handed out by TV show Striscia La Notizia to humiliated or defeated celebrities.
“Every now and then the passion in our work leads us to go beyond the rules of good manners,” Agnelli explained as he was given the award.
Many suggested that the row was due to an old grudge between the two over the way things ended, but Agnelli went on to joke: “Things with Conte ended well.
“They were gestures of affection…”
Conte responded to Agnelli’s provocations last week by showing him the middle finger as he approached the tunnel before half-time, a gesture which was caught by a camera Juventus had reportedly fixed on him for the Derby d’Italia.
The Italian Football Federation are thought to be investigating the incident but nobody has been punished for their actions yet, with no mention of the skirmishes in the match officials’ report in Turin.
