Inter expecting action over
brawl
Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti is expecting Uefa to act
after a mass brawl followed their Champions League tie away to
Valencia on Tuesday. Valencia defender David Navarro has apologised
for his role in the fracas.
Navarro, a non-playing substitute, sparked a free-for-all with a
punch which broke Nicolas Burdisso's nose. A goalless draw at the
Mestalla took Valencia through to the quarter-finals on the away
goals rule following the 2-2 draw in Milan.
Moratti said: "We will let the Uefa delegate do whatever he has to
do." Inter coach Roberto Mancini dubbed Navarro "a coward" for his
act. Mancini said: "Now I have seen the footage there's nothing
else you can say about someone who throws a punch like that and
runs away."
Valencia midfielder Carlos Marchena looked to kick out at Burdisso
after exchanging words. The incident sparked the brawl and Navarro,
who had not featured in the match, ran on to the middle of the
pitch and punched Burdisso.
Several Inter players tried to trip up Navarro as he ran off the
pitch and the fighting continued in the tunnel and outside the
dressing rooms. Navarro said: "I have never behaved in this fashon
before and I will never do it again, I am very sorry and
ashamed.
"I saw that they were trying to attack a team-mate and I lost my
nerve," Navarro told Spanish radion station Cadena Star. Navarro,
who intends to contact Burdisso to apologice in person, added: "I
haven't yet been able to see the images nor the reaction of the
Inter players in our changing room, I was in another room. "It has
been a lamentable incident, I want to apologise to those affected
by my actions."
Inter goalkeeper Francesco Toldo entered the Valencia dressing
room, while Luis Figo and Inter's Esteban Cambiasso were involved
in scuffles as they tried to follow him before security guards
intervened.
Inter Milan coach Roberto Mancini said he was deeply disappointed
by the incident. "A Valencia player went mad when he came on to the
pitch and hit Burdisso. He broke Burdisso's nose. "Toldo saw the
incident and it is possible he went into the Valencia dressing
room. "Players have to learn how to behave on the pitch."
Valencia's Italian defender Emiliano Moretti expressed his surprise
at his team-mate's actions. "Navarro is a perfectly normal person
and I don't know what would cause him to do such a thing," he told
Italian television.
