Antonio Cassano faces a vast fine after his latest tantrum and Sampdoria sporting director Beppe Marotta has issued him a stern warning.
Both sides of Cassano were clearly put on show during Samp’s 2-2 draw with Torino yesterday.
The fiery hitman lit up Marassi and scored his seventh goal of the campaign, but he was also sent off for insulting referee Nicola Pierpaoli and threw his shirt at the official.
“He’s a great player, but Cassano isn’t a champion yet,” Marotta told Radio Anch’io Sport. “We give him all the blame – there’s nothing else to say.”
Cassano now faces a lengthy ban, which could prove costly to Doria’s bid for UEFA Cup qualification.
“Cassano is rehabilitating himself well, but he has big character flaws,” the Blucerchiati director continued.
“We are looking at a player who is 25-years-old and Samp’s gamble has really paid off, but Cassano needs to understand that even with our help his career could be tainted.
“All we can do is await the ban and call for a hefty fine. If he is banned for four games then he will lose 20 days’ wages, which in Cassano’s case is a tidy sum.
“Nonetheless, we can’t just make repressive measures against a lad who is capable of delighting the fans.
“He has made mistakes, but so have so many of the games greats in the recent past.”
Cassano's outburst could have seriously damaged his chances of making the Euro 2008 squad and Eugenio Fascetti - the Coach who discovered him at Bari - believes it's a long road back.
"It will be very difficult for him to get back into the national side now," he told Radio R101.
"It's a shame because there aren't many players like him, but if I were his boss I would be angry becuase he has betrayed the faith that has been shown in him."
