Luciano Spalletti became the latest Serie A coach to clash with a Mediaset reporter following Roma's 2-0 win over Sassuolo on Tuesday.
The Italian union of sports reporters (USSI) on Monday called for talks with Serie A bosses after Roberto Mancini criticised Mediaset's Mikaela Calcagno live on air for her questioning following Inter Milan's 3-0 derby defeat to AC Milan at the weekend.
While Calcagno was not the host on Tuesday night, her replacement was given an earful by Spalletti, even after his side had won to move level on points with fourth-placed Inter in the Serie A standings.
"You always want to put whatever edge you want on things," Spalletti said. "You can't just say whatever you want to us because we are coaches."
It appears, however, that Spalletti misconstrued a question he was asked about the changes he had made since arriving at Roma to be referring to a report last week claiming he had had a dispute with the club's doctors.
"I'm not prescribing anything," he said. "Last week was the first week I was really able to coach the players and I said that everybody has to be at their best, from the players to the doctors, but I wasn't going against anybody.
"You say that I was blaming the doctors, but why? Ours is excellent -- he sends us messages from the hospital when our players aren't well; he's a friend. I'm not blaming anybody."
Mancini apologised to Calcagno and, according to ANSA, sent the reporter a bunch of flowers after losing his temper.