Fiorentina sack boss Rossi after he loses it and attacks OWN player Ljajic for sarcastic applause after being subbed

By Sportsmail Reporter

Published: 20:53 EDT, 2 May 2012 | Updated: 05:40 EDT, 3 May 2012

Fiorentina sacked boss Delio Rossi after he incredibly attacked his own midfielder Adem Ljajic during Wednesday's 2-2 draw with Novara.

The stunning scenes came after the player's anger at being substituted just 32 minutes into the Serie A match.

TV pictures clearly show the manager attacking Ljajic as he took his place on the bench. The player appeared to sarcastically clap his decision to substitute him, and Rossi responded by throwing punches as others on the bench attempted to restrain him.

Scroll down to watch the incredible video...

Sacked: Fiorentina boss Delio Rossi (left) after his attack on Fiorentina's Adem Ljajic in Florence

After deciding to fire the manager - the 30th Serie A sacking since the end of last season - Fiorentina president Andrea Della Valle said: 'In a few seconds months of stress came out. I am sorry because the coach has never committed acts of this kind.

'For his own good to make him understand he has made a mistake I had to take this decision. No provocation justifies this reaction.'

Della Valle also revealed Ljajic would also face action for his part in the incident. But he said he would wait to announce who would take charge of the side for the rest of the season.

'Also for respect of the person with whom I believed in to reconstruct Fiorentina I will say nothing official until tomorrow,' he added. 'Then you will know who will be given the reins of the team.

'We will also take proportionate measures against Ljajic.

Hurt: Ljajic (right) looked visibly upset as he sat on the bench after being hit by Rossi

'Rossi has not justified it to me but he is someone who has never done anything like this.

'I am sorry also that in the 10th year of my reign and with what he has brought - we have won at Milan and Roma and I believed this evening we would have achieved safety, certainly not that I would have to take a decision like this.'

The dramatic events unfolded as the Viola fought to confirm their the Serie A status. The point was enough to put them six points clear of the drop zone with two games remaining.

Fiorentina are all but certain to be in the top flight next season, but it does not mask what has been a difficult campaign. And it seems the pressure got to Rossi, who replaced Sinisa Mihajlovic at the helm in November.

Shock: Ljajic (right) heads back to the bench after being substituted - and then attacked

Fiorentina were 2-0 down at the time, but battled back to claim an important point. And Della Valle wants to see more of that kind of spirit as they look to recover from the shock of Rossi's departure.

'This team needs unity to get away from the relegation situation,' he said. I know now that Delio Rossi is suffering more than anyone. 'But I want to respect the work he has done until now.'

General manager Vincenzo Guerini will take over the reins from Rossi until the end of the season.