Roma midfielder Daniele De Rossi has apologised to Juventus' Mario Mandzukic for insulting him during the two clubs' Serie A clash on Sunday.
De Rossi was seen telling the Croatia striker to "shut it, you gypsy s---," towards the end of the 1-0 win for the Bianconeri.
The 32-year-old Azzurri international is unlikely to face any punishment, although he still felt the need to apologise on Tuesday.
"Well, you all saw it -- I got caught on camera while I said something which, well, I really shouldn't have said," De Rossi told Mediaset television. "It's not the first time something like that is said out on the field, and far worse things have been said in football, but saying that does not justify it.
"We should either not say it at all or, as the coach said, cover our mouths. I'm sorry. I'm sorry to whoever felt offended by what I said."
According to former Italy coach Marcello Lippi, De Rossi should not be castigated for using such a term in the heat of a key Serie A clash.
"When you are tense and the nerves are on show, some things just slip out that you would never say with a fresh mind," he told RAI radio. "Even I, when I was playing, told plenty of opponents where they could go, I don't know how many times. I maybe even used more vulgar terminology."
AC Milan coach Sinisa Mihajlovic, meanwhile, said he has often been on the receiving end of that very same insult, but added it was part of the game.
"What do you want to do, close all the stadiums?" he told RAI after his side's 1-0 win over Alessandria in the Coppa Italia on Tuesday night. "You could not even imagine how many times I've been called a gypsy s---."