Cesc Fabregas, the head coach of Como, has apologized after making contact with an AC Milan player during his team’s 1-1 draw at the San Siro on Wednesday night.
The incident happened in the 78th minute. Milan right-back Alexis Saelemaekers lost control of the ball near the sideline, directly in front of where Fabregas was standing. As the player tried to recover and stop a Como counter-attack, his momentum carried him backward toward the Spanish coach.
Video of the moment shows Fabregas raising his right arm and making contact with Saelemaekers. The Milan player reacted immediately, pointing at Fabregas in an angry manner before running back toward the play.
The situation led to a brief exchange between the two coaching staffs on the sideline. Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri was shown a red card for his part in the argument.
The 38-year-old Fabregas did not make excuses for his actions. “I apologize once again,” Fabregas said. “I have already done it publicly. I am not proud of it. I have done something that is probably unsportsmanlike.”
“It is true it was a little touch, you shouldn’t do it, especially a coach. I understand that he was angry.”
Fabregas added that he had already apologized to Allegri, as well as Milan players Luka Modric, Mike Maignan, and Saelemaekers. “I will learn from this and I hope I don’t do it again in my career,” he said.
Allegri, 58, was critical of Fabregas immediately after the game.
Speaking before the Como coach’s apology, Allegri said: “Next time someone is on the line, I’ll also go on the pitch and make a tackle.”
Later, in his official news conference, Allegri softened his tone. He noted that Fabregas is a young coach still learning the job.
“He is a very young coach, he’s just getting started. He is doing well,” Allegri said. “I hope he wins a lot in his career and has all the capability to do so. A young coach like him needs experience. With experience you improve, you mature.”
The draw leaves Milan in second place in the Serie A standings. They are seven points behind league leaders Inter.