Mauro Icardi at war with Inter ultras, could be stripped off captaincy
Mauro Icardi could be stripped of his Inter Milan captaincy following comments on the club’s fans in his new autobiography. Inter ultras have called the club to take action on the Argentine for his comments, who further went on to call the striker ‘a liar and a piece of s***’.
Icardi has said in his book that he was called a hero by Inter Milan players after a confrontation with Inter fans after Inter’s loss with Sassuolo in 2015.
Angered by the remarks made by the Argentine, Inter fans jeered their captain as he walked out to face Cagliari in the Serie A. On a quest to redeem himself with the fans, Icardi stepped up to put Inter in front from the penalty spot and he shot wide receiving a huge cheer from the home fans.
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Inter went on to lose the game and hand Cagliari their first away win from home since getting promoted to the Serie A.
Since his appointment to the club, manager Frank de Boer has overseen just a solitary win over Juventus in front of the home crowd at San Siro, heaping more pressure on the manager.
Inter legend Zanetti calls for calm
Club Vice President and former captain Javier Zanetti called for calm after the game and made a statement on the situation surrounding Icardi, stating the club would take action against the Argentine and hinted that he would be stripped of the captaincy.
Zanetti condemned the captain's behaviour, hailing the fans as the most important part of the club. As reported by ESPN, Zanetti said, “players behaviour must be in line with the values of the history of Inter.”
"Nobody expected this outburst, as you know we are concentrated on other objectives, 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."
Fans raise banners gainst Icardi
The fans also raised a banner in protest against the skipper Icardi during the game against Cagliari that read, ‘You use a child to justify yourself and fling mud at us... You’re not a man... You’re not a captain... You’re just a vile piece of s**.’
Also Read: 'I don't speak about traitors' – Diego Maradona has his say on Mauro Icardi
Icardi penned a new five-year deal with the club earlier this month, but has now found his role as the team’s leader in doubt, with the club in the process of assessing the situation and coming to a decision surrounding the striker and its loyal support group.
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