(Reuters) - Serie A club Lecce condemned manager Roberto D'Aversa after he headbutted Hellas Verona striker Thomas Henry following his side's 1-0 loss at home on Sunday.
D'Aversa walked over to the French striker after the match before aiming a headbutt that knocked Henry briefly to the ground.
"U.S. Lecce firmly condemn the gesture of its coach, as it is against the principles and values of this sport," the club said in a statement.
Both D'Aversa and Henry received red cards, with Henry reportedly being held back by team mates and staff when attempting to go after the 48-year-old coach.
D'Aversa apologised and said that Verona tried to provoke his players during the relegation clash.
"There was already provocation in the final minutes of the match and I didn’t want my players to get suspended," he said to Sky Sport Italy.
"I apologise for the gesture, but my intention was to separate the players, as the last seven or eight minutes was just continual provocation.”
Lecce are 15th with 25 points, a point ahead of Frosinone in 18th, the last relegation spot. Verona are 13th with 26 points.
(Reporting by Tommy Lund in Gdansk; Editing by Toby Davis)
