Inter expecting action over brawl
Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti is expecting Uefa to act after a mass brawl followed their Champions League tie away to Valencia on Tuesday. Valencia defender David Navarro has apologised for his role in the fracas.Navarro, a non-playing substitute, sparked a free-for-all with a punch which broke Nicolas Burdisso's nose. A goalless draw at the Mestalla took Valencia through to the quarter-finals on the away goals rule following the 2-2 draw in Milan.
Moratti said: "We will let the Uefa delegate do whatever he has to do." Inter coach Roberto Mancini dubbed Navarro "a coward" for his act. Mancini said: "Now I have seen the footage there's nothing else you can say about someone who throws a punch like that and runs away."
Valencia midfielder Carlos Marchena looked to kick out at Burdisso after exchanging words. The incident sparked the brawl and Navarro, who had not featured in the match, ran on to the middle of the pitch and punched Burdisso.
Several Inter players tried to trip up Navarro as he ran off the pitch and the fighting continued in the tunnel and outside the dressing rooms. Navarro said: "I have never behaved in this fashon before and I will never do it again, I am very sorry and ashamed.
"I saw that they were trying to attack a team-mate and I lost my nerve," Navarro told Spanish radion station Cadena Star. Navarro, who intends to contact Burdisso to apologice in person, added: "I haven't yet been able to see the images nor the reaction of the Inter players in our changing room, I was in another room. "It has been a lamentable incident, I want to apologise to those affected by my actions."
Inter goalkeeper Francesco Toldo entered the Valencia dressing room, while Luis Figo and Inter's Esteban Cambiasso were involved in scuffles as they tried to follow him before security guards intervened.
Inter Milan coach Roberto Mancini said he was deeply disappointed by the incident. "A Valencia player went mad when he came on to the pitch and hit Burdisso. He broke Burdisso's nose. "Toldo saw the incident and it is possible he went into the Valencia dressing room. "Players have to learn how to behave on the pitch."
Valencia's Italian defender Emiliano Moretti expressed his surprise at his team-mate's actions. "Navarro is a perfectly normal person and I don't know what would cause him to do such a thing," he told Italian television.