JAKARTA - Como manager Cesc Fabregas has apologized for making contact with an AC Milan player near the touchline in a league match that ended in a 1-1 draw at San Siro on Thursday, February 19, 2026 WIB.
In the 78th minute, Milan right-back Alexis Saelemaekers lost control of the ball near the touchline in front of Fabregas.
As the player tried to defend against Como's counterattack, his momentum seemed to take him backwards towards the Spanish coach, who then raised his right arm and made contact with Saelemaekers. The Milan player reacted angrily and pointed towards Fabregas before running to his goal area.
The two coaches then got into a verbal altercation on the sidelines. AC Milan manager Massimiliano Allegri then got a red card.
"I apologize once again. I have done it publicly. I am not proud of it. I have done something that may not be sporting."
"It's true it was just a small touch, you shouldn't do it, especially a coach. I understand that he (Saelemaekers) was angry."
"I apologize to the coach (Allegri), I have already done it to the players (AC Milan) Luka (Modric), (Mike) Maignan and Saelemaekers."
"I will learn from this and I hope I will not do it again in my career," Fabregas said after the match.
Before the press conference after the match and still in a hot mood, Allegri criticized Fabregas.
"Next time someone is on the goal line, I will also go on the field and make a tackle," the AC Milan coach told DANZ.
Then he said in a post-match press conference, "When you are on the pitch, you have to respect the opponent and the referee. He is a very young coach, he is just starting his career."
"He's fine. I hope he wins a lot in his career and has all the ability to do it."
"Young coaches like him need experience. With experience, you will develop, you will become more mature," said Allegri.
The result of the Thursday match puts AC Milan in second place in the standings, seven points behind Serie A leader Inter Milan.
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