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Swindon boss Di Canio in public bust-up with striker Clarke

Swindon boss Paolo Di Canio was involved in a heated confrontation with striker Leon Clarke following Tuesday night's Carling Cup defeat by Southampton. The Italian remonstrated with Clarke as the team left the pitch and the pair seemed to be pushing and shoving before being separated.

Chairman Jeremy Wray to try to explain the scuffle and said: "Clearly there was an incident and it would be wrong to apportion blame until we have all the facts."

Clarke refused to go into the dressing room and left the ground still wearing his kit while Di Canio went home without attending his usual post-match press conference.

Wray added: "Leon and the fitness coach were having words after the game and there was a disagreement between them. As Leon came off the pitch Paolo was conscious these things should be done behind closed doors.

"There was a misunderstanding there that carried on into the tunnel. It got to a situation where the whole thing blew up very fast. There was frustration on both sides.

"The whole issue was trivial but nobody responded in the right way.

"The manager was quite right to try to defuse the situation. Paolo was frustrated the whole thing was played out in public. He feels one of the players has let him down."

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Dave Williams

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