Mancio’s rift with medics
Inter Coach Roberto Mancini is facing an FIGC investigation after becoming locked in a bitter dispute with club medics.
Mancini has been angered by the length of time it has taken French midfielder Patrick Vieira to return from a calf injury.
“Apart from certain very serious injuries, I think conditions can be healed much more quickly as I have experienced them as a player,” the Nerazzurri tactician told Sky Sport Italia.
“Players have more trouble returning than before, but it’s not their fault. Now the doctors stop them all the time. The doctors have got worse, in my opinion.”
“The federal prosecutor has opened an investigation into Mancini’s comments about the work of club doctors,” a statement on the Italian Football Federation website reads.
Mancini’s accusations have met with outrage amongst the peninsula’s medical community.
“I don’t think that Mancini showed much sensitivity or courtesy towards the game’s medics,” Azzurri doctor Enrico Castellacci stressed.
“The same doctors have been attacked for rushing players back in the past.
“Medicine is a serious business, perhaps more than the game itself. If doctors are paying more attention to players’ health then maybe it’s a good thing that they are getting worse.”
The controversy shows no signs of dying down, despite Mancio’s attempts to pour water on the flames by insisting that his comments were made in jest.
Football Italia