UPDATE #3: Atansijevic has posted on his Instagram. The post is a famous quote by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.
“He that respects himself is safe from others. He wears a coat of mail that none can pierce.” -Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
UPDATE #2: Orduna has released his statement and he is now saying that he did NOT spit at Atanasijevic at all. He also mentioned that it was the Serbian spiker who initiated some offensive gestures during the match.
“Apprendo con stupore delle notizie diffuse dai media in merito ad un mio presunto sputo al termine della gara con Perugia. Nego nella maniera più assoluta di aver commesso tale gesto. Sono stato provocato durante l’intero incontro da Atanasijevic che mi ha rivolto pesanti e indicibili offese personali. Durante il saluto finale il giocatore Atanasijevic mi ha stretto la mano con forza continuando ad insultarmi pesantemente. Ho reagito verbalmente e ho subito cercato di allontanarmi“.
UPDATE #1: Atanasijevic’s suspension has been reduced to just 1 match which means he will miss the first semifinal matches against Modena on April 16th.
***
Instead of shaking hands at the end of their last quarterfinal match in the Italian League, Verona setter Santi Orduna ended up spitting in the face of Perugia’s precious star Aleksandar Atanasijevic. It obviously didn’t go well with Atanasijevic that he tried to chase Orduna to make him pay for his actions.
Other players and staff members tried to end the chaotic scene.
Watch This:
With such behavior, the Italian League has decided to SUSPEND Orduna for 8 matches when the 2019/2020 starts. As for Atanasijevic, it’s not a great news for him. He is suspended for 2 matches and will miss the first 2 semifinal matches against Modena.
Both players have not released any statement after their suspension was announced.
With both players expected to return next season in Italy, we have a feeling they have an unfinished business towards each other BUT we hope they resolve their issues anytime soon.