Italy coach Luciano Spalletti has denied making a dig at Inter Milan and Simone Inzaghi with a recent comment about the Nerazzurri ultras scandal.
The Azzurri coach told Italian broadcaster RAI Sport, via FCInterNews, that he “was asked a question and answered.”
Over the last couple of days, a bit of tempest in a teapot has been brewing between Inzaghi and Spalletti.
This was the result of comments that Italy coach Spalletti made regarding the ongoing scandal surrounding Inter and Milan ultras.
The Azzurri boss fielded a question about the investigation and arrests of a number of ultras.
Spalletti said that he had no interest as a coach in involving himself with the ultras’ activities.
And in fact, the Italy and former Inter, Roma, and Napoli coach specifically said that he would “hang up the phone” if a club’s ultras called him.
Italy Coach Luciano Spalletti Denies Making Dig At Inter & Inzaghi
Many interpreted this as a dig at current Nerazzurri coach Inzaghi.
Inzaghi has recently spoken to investigators in the ultras case.
The Inter coach admitted to investigators that he had spoken with ultras leader Marco Ferdico – currently under arrest.
The subject of the conversation was ultras group the Curva Nord’s desire for additional tickets to the 2023 Champions League final. Inzaghi told investigated that he conveyed that request to Inter on behalf of the Nord.
Considering the context, it was inevitable that some saw Spalletti as making a thinly-veiled criticism of Inter coach Inzaghi with his comments.
Reportedly, Spalletti has spoken with Inzaghi personally. He called the Inter coach to explain his comment.
The two coaches smoothed things over before they could get out of hand.
But the Italy coach insists that there was no dig.
“I don’t have anything to clarify to anyone,” Spalletti said. “I was asked a question and I answered.”
