Sassuolo lost to lower-league side Modena in the Coppa Italia
Sassuolo player and Italy international Domenico Berardi had to be held back by police after chasing a supporter who had angrily confronted him on Sunday.
The incident occurred following Sassuolo’s Coppa Italia exit at the hands of lower-league side Modena. The Serie A club suffered a shock 3-2 defeat to the Serie B outfit, despite Berardi scoring from the penalty spot during the match.
The 28-year-old was provoked into jumping over a barrier to chase a fan who confronted him following the defeat, with the player quickly pursued by police. He also had to be restrained by two other fans in the area.
Berardi was NOT happy with a fan after Sassuolo’s loss to Modena in Coppa Italia pic.twitter.com/VnzIlR9SmT
— Italian Football TV (@IFTVofficial) August 8, 2022
Berardi has since apologised for the incident, writing in an Instagram story: “I want to apologise for what happened outside the stadium after the game against Modena. We are professionals and, above all, we must be examples for youths and kids. Today I didn’t behave as such.
“That’s because the things that I love the most, such as my wife and my son, were deliberately involved off the pitch, hurting me deeply. I also renew my apologies to the opposing fans.”
Berardi, who has registered 121 goals and 84 assists in 326 appearances for Sassuolo, has attracted interest from Inter Milan, AC Milan, Juventus and Fiorentina in recent months.
He has made 24 appearances for his country, scoring six goals and recording two assists.
While the winger changed his squad number over the summer, he refused to suggest that it means he’ll stay at the club, saying: “I decided to change shirt, then there’s the transfer market, we’ll see…”
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