Ex-Liverpool ace Lucas denies ‘false’ accusations he abused disabled press officer telling him to ‘stay seated and shut up’
Long-serving Milan staff member Ugo Allevi was the alleged recipient of the player's "abuse"
LUCAS LEIVA has hit back at claims he levelled unsavoury comments at a disabled press officer during Lazio’s heated match at AC Milan on Saturday.
The incident was brought up in an Italian newspaper report after the Rossoneri claimed a 1-0 win, alleging the midfielder said “stay seated and shut up” to a wheelchair user.
However, Lucas is determined to clear his name and released a statement on Monday denying any wrongdoing.
He wrote on Twitter: “I’d like to make it clear that the accusations recently made about me after the Milan game are totally false and unfounded.
“It’s my concern to highlight in a peremptory manner this regrettable and totally false fact about me, given I have never shown a lack of respect to anyone in 10 years as a player.
“It’s absolutely not part of my professional conduct and it offends not only third parties but also me on a human level.
I could never tolerate such behaviour.
Lucas Leiva's Statement
“In a football game, when you’re taken over by competitive tension, you can say many things, but there is always a limit that I never cross.
“Given my education is based on respect and common sense, I could never tolerate such behaviour.”
The man at the centre of the reports is Ugo Allevi, a disabled Milan press officer who has worked at the club for over 25 years.
It is alleged that officials noted in their report Lucas shouting at Allevi during the game, prompting the press officer to respond with an expletive.
Milan have not yet commented on the matter.
The match was also controversial for a number of penalty appeals as well as Franck Kessie and Tiemoue Bakayoko parading Francesco Acerbi’s shirt at the full-time whistle.
Before the match, Lazio defender Acerbi had irked the San Siro club when claiming there was “no comparison” between the two teams’ players.
Goalscorer Kessi and Bakayoko apologised to their rival, describing the act as “a playful gesture”.