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Fabrizio Giovannozzi/AP/Press Association Images

Banned Rossi defends touchline brawl as 'humanly justifiable'

“Certain lines should not be crossed. If someone touches my family, I can’t pretend that I didn’t hear it.”

FORMER FIORENTINA BOSS Delio Rossi has hinted that the mid-match attack which cost him his job was a direct response to an insult to his family.

Rossi hit the headlines on Wednesday evening when he reached into the dugout and punched Serbian midfielder Adem Ljajic during the Viola‘s 2-2 Serie A draw with Novara.

TV footage showed Ljajic sarcastically applauding and giving Rossi the thumbs up following the manager’s decision to substitute him in the 32nd minute with Fiorentina 2-0 down.

Rossi was sacked by club owner Andrea Della Valle that night and was later hit with a three-month ban from football. But speaking to the media following his dismissal, the Italian defended his violent response to the provocation.

“I’ve never slapped anyone, but I demand respect for the club I train and my family,” Rossi said (Football Italia). “That is why I reacted.

Certain lines should not be crossed. If someone touches my family, I can’t pretend that I didn’t hear it.

I’ll rightly pay the price as my actions were disgraceful, but they were humanly justifiable.

Former Fiorentina midfielder Vincenzo Guerini has been appointed as caretaker manager for the final two games of the season.

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    Mute Whatshisname
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    Jan 3rd 2018, 12:15 PM

    All players would

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    Mute John Connolly
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    Jan 3rd 2018, 12:46 PM

    It’s easy to say that when he’s already won the league

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    Mute An Féar Cancrach
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    Jan 3rd 2018, 1:23 PM

    Come to Liverpool we have a history of winning it my son.

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    Mute John Connolly
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    Jan 3rd 2018, 1:35 PM

    @An Féar Cancrach: ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha

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    Mute Ní maith liom mná
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    Jan 3rd 2018, 1:40 PM

    @An Féar Cancrach: are you trying to make out that Liverpool is a Museum

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    Mute beni gabor
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    Jan 3rd 2018, 2:23 PM

    Aguerrroooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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    Mute Ní maith liom mná
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    Jan 3rd 2018, 12:38 PM

    Shame he won’t win it as he deserves it unless he goes to Madrid or Barcelona

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    Mute An Féar Cancrach
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    Jan 3rd 2018, 6:46 PM

    @Ní maith liom mná: Nah Barcelona had their affair with it. Specifically rome 09 and wembly 11. Man that was hillarious. Poor whiskey nose and the 11 ladies. It was like watching Barca play their u8s twice xx

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    Mute Margate
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    Jan 3rd 2018, 3:44 PM

    Well obviously because city actually have a chance of winning it

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