BBC SPORT | MOTHERWELL | Well attempt to heal rift

Motherwell have attempted to defuse a war of words between Billy Davies and Dario Bonetti by claiming that their manager was swearing at his own players and not the Dundee assistant.

Bonetti refused to shake Davies' hand after the home side's 2-1 defeat at Dens Park on Saturday, claiming that it was because of the Motherwell man's colourful language on the touchline.

However, Motherwell chief executive Pat Nevin, who played alongside Dundee manager Ivano Bonetti at Tranmere Rovers, said: "Billy's language can be a little colourful at times, but he assured me it wasn't directed at Dario."

Ironically, the Dundee assistant faces a ban from the touchline for three months after going on to the field to check on Fabian Caballero's injury in the Dundee derby on September 20th, although he is set to appeal.

Lack of concentration

Davies had accused Bonetti of being "unsportsmanlike" for not shaking hands.

Dario Bonetti was unhappy at behaviour
Brother Ivano said: "It is difficult to shake hands if you don't have respect.

"He was shouting at the ref all the time and then he wanted a shake of the hand."

Bonetti was also left angered by some of referee John Fleming's decisions during the match but blamed a lack of concentration for his side's downfall.

Motherwell winger Stuart Elliott settled the game with two headers in the first five minutes before Claudio Caniggia marked his home debut by scoring later in the first period.


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