3 May 2012

Fiorentina coach attacks his own player

11:01 am on 3 May 2012

The coach of Italian football side Fiorentina, punched one of his own players during a Serie A game after the player sarcastically applauded being substituted.

Fiorentina were losing two-nil against Novara, a team in the bottom three and after only half an hour of play, Rossi decided to substitute midfielder Adem Ljajic.

Ljajic sarcastically applauded his coaches decision to substitute him.

Rossi took exception to the player's reaction and leapt into the dug-out to punch Ljajic in the face.

The referee did not see the incident and neither coach nor player was punished.