The last week of MLS brought a whirlwind of emotions. Aside from the dramatic outcomes on the field that shaped the destiny of teams vying for a spot in the MLS playoffs, a shocking incident occurred off the pitch. Toronto FC’s star Lorenzo Insigne dropped the F-bomb at a fan. As the unfolding drama gripped fans and the soccer world alike, Insigne wasted no time and extended a heartfelt public apology.
Despite the bitterness that lingered following his team’s 2-3 defeat against Cincinnati, the forward shed light on his response and the deeper emotions that fueled the heated argument in the first place.
Lorenzo Insigne issues public apology to the fan
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Earlier, a clip surfaced on the internet where Insigne was seen engaging in a heated exchange with a Toronto supporter during the clash against Cincinnati. The forward angrily yelled “F**k You” at a Toronto supporter, and notably, he needed to be quickly guided indoors to prevent the situation from escalating further.
Days later, Insigne revealed the reason that instigated him to take such a step while issuing his apology. As per Sportsnet, he said, “I knew that was irresponsible and I shouldn’t have behaved that way. But while I was sitting there taking these insults, my family was there, my kids were there. They were crying. They thought something was going to happen to me and I kind of reacted as a father, not as a player.”
He concluded his apology by saying, “I’m a professional. I know these things should not happen. And I apologize again to all the fans of Toronto. And this won’t happen again.” Certainly, fans may excuse their star player, who has asked for forgiveness. Nevertheless, let’s see if the ardent supporters help establish peace.
Lorenzo Insigne comments on his outburst during the game Saturday:
"I knew that was irresponsible and I shouldn't have behaved that way," he said. "But while I was sitting there taking these insults, my family was there, my kids were there. They were crying. They thought… pic.twitter.com/xELYevIKNa
— MLS Moves (@MLSMoves) October 3, 2023
Notably, this isn’t the first time Lorenzo Insigne has had to express his apology. Earlier, the 32-year-old had to beg for forgiveness from his former Napoli club’s fanbase.
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Insigne asked for an apology from Napoli fans
In a recent turn of events, Insigne expressed his admiration for Lionel Messi following their encounter on the field in Miami. Despite Lionel Messi being substituted and unable to complete the match, the Herons secured a resounding 4-0 victory. Post-game, Insigne shared a picture capturing him in a duel for the ball with Messi. He included a caption that read, “With the best in history,” accompanied by a ‘goat’ emoji.
However, this gesture didn’t sit well with fans of Insigne’s former club, Napoli. Apparently, they firmly believe that the title of ‘best in history’ exclusively belongs to their legendary player, Diego Armando Maradona. Consequently, Napoli supporters criticized Insigne, viewing it as a ‘betrayal’ by their former captain. As a result, the soccer star had to backtrack and issue an apology. He clarified that he had no intention of fueling any debates or making comparisons. Any thoughts? Let us know in the comments below.
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