Carlo Ancelotti has admitted to swearing at Hertha Berlin fans – but has claimed that they were spitting at him.
Ancelotti watched on as his Bayern Munich side were held to a 1-1 draw against Hertha on Saturday.
The Bundesliga leaders required a late Robert Lewandowski strike to rescue a crucial away point.
They now lead the table by eight points – although second-placed RB Leipzig can close that gap to five with a win over Borussia Monchengladbach on Sunday.
The draw was marred by a melee between both sets of players late on, after Hertha keeper Rune Jarstein kicked the ball at Xabi Alonso from close range.
Ancelotti alleges that it was at this point that the home fans started to spit at him, and he responded by raising a middle finger.
The Italian could face German Football Association sanctions as a result.
“Yes, I made this gesture as I was spat at earlier,” he told ARD Sportschau.
Bayern keeper Manuel Neuer added, of the crowd: “That has nothing to do with fair play, it doesn’t matter how frustrated you are.
“There’s a massive crowd here and it’s not setting a good example.”
