Atalanta striker German Denis thumped Empoli defender Lorenzo Tonelli to spark a brawl during yesterday's 2-2 draw.

Denis equalised deep into stoppages at the Stadio Azzurri d'Italia in Bergamo, but the situation deteriorated after the final whistle.

"It cannot be described as a brawl, because the only thing that happened was an Atalanta player punched one of my men," Empoli coach Maurizio Sarri told Sky Sport Italia.

"More than a ban, he ought to get charged by the police. The authorities in the tunnel saw everything that happened. It's up to them to draw their conclusions. I prefer to talk about the game.

"I thought we thoroughly deserved the three points, but in the late chaos they managed to grab an equaliser."

Atalanta director Pierpaolo Marino also spoke to the media and gave a different version of events.

"You all know Denis, who does charity work in Bergamo and is always the first to help anyone out.

"Tonelli provoked him, making death threats against him and his family. Even a good man would react to such threats, even though of course Denis was wrong to do so.

"We apologise to Empoli, but it would be only right that Tonelli apologise to Denis too."