Empoli defender Lorenzo Tonelli has branded German Denis a "coward" for punching him and then running away after Sunday's 2-2 draw at Atalanta.
Denis has been banned for five matches for entering into the Empoli dressing room and assaulting Tonelli, whom he accused of threatening him as he left the field of play after scoring a late equaliser.
Tonelli, who has been banned for one match, maintains he did not make any such threats, and has launched legal action against the Atalanta forward for assault.
According to Denis' version of the incident on Instagram, the Empoli defender had "wished that I and my family all died [...] in front of my own son."
A photo posted by German Denis (@germandenisofficial) on
Tonelli is to give his side of the story in a news conference, but used his Facebook account to deny Denis' claim.
"While waiting for my news conference, I just wanted to say that I never threatened anybody, especially not a footballer/father with his child by his side," he wrote. "I come from a family where I have been taught education and respect. My family (my grandfather and father are both doctors) save people's lives, we don't kill anybody!
"I didn't want to say anything before now because, since I'm not guilty of anything, there was nothing for me to justify, unlike what others have done! I was punched by a coward who even ran away and did not have the courage to face up to me, and despite all this I even get suspended.
"This is justice for you! But I've had enough now! Enough of unjust accusations, enough of injustice in general. No to violence! In my news conference, I will explain exactly what happened! Thanks to everybody who has written to me and who supports and believes in me."
In attesa della mia conferenza stampa ci tengo a dire che non ho minacciato nessuno tanto meno un calciatore/padre con...
Posted by Lorenzo Tonelli on Monday, 27 April 2015
Tonelli will miss Empoli's game with Napoli on Thursday night while Denis will be available again only for Atalanta's final game of the season against AC Milan after both were handed bans by the Lega Serie A.