Antonio Conte has taken a fine but has avoided any form of suspension after the controversial comments he made towards referee Gianluca Manganiello during Napoli’s Coppa Italia exit at the hands of Como in February. 

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Conte escapes suspension after calling referee a d***head

Napoli were eliminated on penalties after a 1-1 Coppa Italia quarter-final draw against Como last month in a game that saw Conte lose his head towards fourth official Giovanni Ayroldi after a series of decisions that he thought to be errors from referee Manganiello. 

The Partenopei head coach was left enraged after a foul on Rasmus Hojlund by Como centre-back Jacobo Ramon, which he felt warranted a VAR check at the very least. The Spaniard made a similar challenge again towards the end of the first half, but escaped a booking.

Conte was caught on camera calling referee Manganiello a ‘d***head’ in a heated confrontation with fourth official Ayroldi, and also claimed that the official ‘does it on purpose with me’. 

The coach’s comments led to an investigation from FIGC prosecutor Giuseppe Chinè, and according to article 36 of the sporting code of justice, Conte was at risk of a minimum four-match suspension as a result of the ‘abuse’ that he gave the officials. 

According to Corriere dello Sport, Conte was questioned in a private interrogation with the prosecutor’s office a few days after the Napoli vs. Como match took place. 

Given Conte’s co-operation with the investigation, his legal representative has been able to reach an agreement with the authorities that will see him handed a €6,000 fine instead of any matchday suspensions.