The Internazionale manager, Roberto Mancini, became embroiled in a furious spat with his Napoli counterpart during the Italian Cup quarter-final on Tuesday night, which the Milan side won 2-0 after goals from Stevan Jovetic and Adem Ljajic.

However, the result was quickly forgotten afterwards as a clearly shaken and furious Mancini told Rai TV about the exchange he had with the Napoli manager on the touchline.

“The confrontation on the touchline? You have to ask Sarri about that, he is a racist. People like him do not belong in football. He used racist words. I stood up to ask about the five minutes being added on and Sarri shouted ‘poof’ and ‘faggot’ at me. I would be proud to be that if he is what’s considered a man.”

“People like him should not be in football. He is 60 years old. The fourth official heard but didn’t say anything. He came to see me in the changing room to apologise but he should really be ashamed of himself.”

Mancini was sent off towards the end of the game for remonstrating with the Napoli bench. Mancini did not see the second goal as he became involved in the heated exchange with the fourth official and then Sarri, and was ordered from the touchline.

The row began after the fourth official mistakenly indicated nine minutes of added time before changing his mind and showing five instead.

All Sarri had to say of the incident was “that he could not remember” what he said to Mancini and that “what is said on the pitch should stay on the pitch”.

Sarri is no stranger to controversy. Last year while still in charge of Empoli, he was fined €5,000 after a match against Varese after making a rude gesture towards fans but escaped punishment for making similar comments.

“Football has become a sport for fags,” said Sarri. “We suffered twice as many fouls, but we had more yellow cards. It’s a contact sport in Italy and but the whistle is blown a lot more than in England because of the interpretation by homosexuals.”

Inter, third in the league, will face the winner of Wednesday’s match between Lazio and Juventus in the semi-finals.