Catania coach Silvio Baldini has apologized for kicking Parma counterpart Domenico Di Carlo in the backside, although not to Di Carlo.
"I want to excuse myself with everyone -- Parma fans included -- but not to him. He provoked me," Baldini said on Monday.
In the 85th minute of Sunday's 2-2 draw, Baldini walked back over to Di Carlo following a verbal argument and landed his leg square in Di Carlo's backside after Di Carlo had turned away.
"It wasn't pretty," Baldini said. "I made a mistake."
The incident provoked outrage among other coaches and players and Baldini will likely receive a lengthy ban.
"There are no justifications. He has to say he's sorry, accept the sanctions and comport himself in a different manner in the future," Italian soccer federation president Giancarlo Abete said.
Baldini will almost certainly miss Catania's home opener against Genoa on the weekend.
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