Catania have rubbished claims from Gianluca Falsini of death threats if he didn't leave the club.

The player has taken legal action against Catania, accusing them of "bullying" and freezing him out of the squad's training sessions to force him into a move..

The claims come after La Sicilia alleged Falsini was under investigation over a match-fixing and betting scandal.

On the same day two men approached Falsini at the training ground and made death threats against him if he did not leave the club.

"We would like to point out that our players who witnessed the incident immediately testified to the FIGC," read a Catania statement.

"It was probably a dream come true for Falsini and his lawyer to ride this wave and manipulate the reality of the matter - if indeed it existed - for their own ends.

"We are the first to condemn the use of threats, but at the end of the day it was only a few shouts aimed by fans who were presumably affected by what was written in La Sicilia newspaper."

The club also tried to explain exactly what is going on between Falsini and Catania in the courts.

"We wish to point out that the player has for a long time - too long - suffered from more or less serious injuries that prevent him from training regularly or pushing hard in any game between ranks he is called upon to play.

"We also remind you that Falsini appealed to the Players' Association to force his reintegration into the squad. This is something that, as it is very easy to see, he is in no condition to do."

Former Parma full-back Falsini walked off the field after he received the alleged threats on Saturday and his lawyer suggested he may need police protection, but Catania played down the incident.

"Falsini arbitrarily and without any authorisation abandoned the training ground. We have already sent a letter to the Players' Association confirming that fact."

The statement closed by accusing lawyer Mattia Grassani of being "the real director of this ugly affair."