Como boss Cesc Fabregas apologized on Thursday following a controversial touchline incident in his side’s 1‑1 Serie A draw with AC Milan at San Siro, in which Milan manager Massimiliano Allegri was sent off.
The match ended level as Argentina midfielder Nico Paz put Como ahead in the 32nd minute, only for Portugal winger Rafael Leão to equalize shortly after halftime. Milan remains unbeaten in the league but fell seven points behind leaders Inter Milan.
The controversy arose late in the second half when Milan attempted a counterattack. Alexis Sailmakers slowed play near the Como technical area, and Milan alleged that Fabregas pulled the Belgian winger’s shirt to impede the attack. Replays showed Fabregas close to the touchline as the play unfolded, prompting heated protests from the Milan bench.
A touchline confrontation followed, and referee Maurizio Mariani showed red cards to Allegri and a Como assistant. Allegri argued after the match that Sailmakers was fouled and that he left his technical area to defend his player.
Fabregas acknowledged his actions were “unsporting” but maintained he had only touched the ball, not pulled the shirt. “We’ve got to keep our hands to ourselves… especially the coaches,” he said, adding that he hoped it would not happen again.
Allegri accepted the apology but insisted Milan would react strongly in future similar situations