Football
Ben Gladwell, Italy correspondent 8y

Inter punish Mauro Icardi according to 'club regulations' after fan incident

Mauro Icardi is set to remain captain of Inter Milan, but he still faces disciplinary action for breaking the club's code of conduct following comments made about the club's fans in his autobiography.

In a statement, Inter did not specify what the punishment would entail but it was expected to include a hefty fine while letting him remain captain.

"Following a meeting this morning between management and Mauro Icardi, F.C. Internazionale announces that the captain will be sanctioned for contravening the club's internal regulations as signed by every player."

The striker had written that he was "acclaimed as a hero" in the dressing room after a confrontation with "one of the fan leaders" in 2015.

The comments in his book angered Inter ultras, who accused him of telling "lies" in a lengthy statement. 

The 23-year-old attempted to placate the fans with a statement of his own on social media, but he was jeered as he walked out ahead of Inter's 2-1 defeat to Cagliari on Sunday and was greeted by insulting banners about him in the San Siro.

Inter published an apology from Icardi as part of the statement as well, which said: "The last couple of days have been a sad period in my time with the Nerazzurri. Yet within a family -- and I've always been taught that Inter is first and foremost one big family -- tough times and misunderstandings happen.

"It all stemmed from a page of my book, which was probably written in haste; a page where some of the tone wasn't appropriate, and I'm really sorry that the Inter fans got caught up in all this.

"This has offended a lot of people, but you always need to look forward and, if possible, do everything in your power to get things back to normal. That's why I'd like to apologise and I will make efforts to have those pages removed to avoid anyone feeling offended, betrayed or threatened. 

"I've spoken to the club today and we've put this sorry incident behind us, and we all have one aim. We want the best for Inter, because nothing is bigger than this club.

"That's why I've accepted all of the club's decisions. I will try to be more careful in the future, something required of my role within the team. Now, more united than ever, we can prepare for our upcoming commitments with the utmost determination."

Icardi -- who signed a new five-year contract this month -- went on to miss a penalty during the Serie A clash, with Inter fans cheering as he sent his effort wide of the target.

"Nobody expected this outburst, as you know we are concentrated on other objectives," Inter vice president Javier Zanetti said. "But Inter stands beyond any individual person and we really could've done without this incident ahead of an important match.

"Unfortunately social media can be used in a negative fashion and we must safeguard the club. Every individual who works for Inter must be very careful on social media: he can write anything on his private life, but cannot damage the history of this club."

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