Conte and Agnelli under investigation after exchanging insults during the Coppa Italia match

The referee „forgave“ them, but they are still not out of trouble: Inter manager Antonio Conte and Juventus president Andrea Agnelli are under investigation by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) for their behaviour during Tuesday's Coppa Italia semi-final second leg in Turin.

Former cooperates were caught by cameras exchanging (and showing) insults. Conte showed the middle finger towards Agnelli, who replied with foul language after a 0-0 draw, which promoted Juventus to the finals. The behavior of the two sets of directors and club staff will be looked into by Federal Prosecutor Giuseppe Chine. The fourth official from the match, Daniele Chiffi, has been summoned to give evidence.

The decision to launch an investigation came after the Disciplinary Commission decided not to punish both men. Referee Maurizio Mariani has not mentioned the Inter coach or the Juventus patron in his report, not even Lele Oriali or Fabio Paratici, the other two protagonists of controversy during the match. Conte, who won three consecutive titles with Juve under Agnelli, has said he was continuously insulted during the game.

Conte heavily protested after a referee’s decision not to give a penalty for Inter in the first half of the match, and he was told by his former player Leonardo Bonucci to „respect the referee“.

„There is little to add, the images are clear. What happened was bad but it’s not for me to judge and say why it happened. We must always be role models, but sometimes it becomes difficult in certain situations. When you play, sometimes you do not think about the environmental situation. Tension can make you do something different from what you want and episodes like these can happen. This is also amplified by the fact that the stadiums are empty and the microphones record even the sneeze of a player. We should emphasize less what happens, I challenge anyone not to have moments of tension in their workplace, whether it’s a football field or an office. We are human beings. We try to be role models, but some situations may get out of our control. With a full stadium you wouldn’t notice it, we have to be more careful but it is nothing new” said Bonucci to Sky Sports Italia.

Conte is known for his temper, and former Inter goalkeeper Tommaso Berni also gave his verdict on his boss.

“He is a top coach who always gives everything and, therefore, he wants the same from his players. When the results come, everything is quiet, but tension grows when they are missing. Conte is definitely a tough coach, not someone you would play five-a-side football with“ Berni told Radio Incontro Olympia.

So what happens next?

Article 4 reminds all members to respect the ‘principles of loyalty, correctness, and honesty in any relationship, however referable to sporting activity’. In this case, the punishments could vary and have a very wide range. Article 39 punishes seriously unsportsmanlike conduct. The second paragraph ‘provides for the disqualification for at least two games’ for the coach. The third paragraph, dedicated to executives, ‘a minimum penalty for a one-month ban’. The possible punishment could be extended beyond Italian football, thus could cause disqualification for the UEFA competitions too.