By Associated Press - Monday, September 17, 2018

TIRANA, Albania (AP) - Albania coach Christian Panucci has filed a civil lawsuit against the country’s former president for calling him a “charlatan” after losing a friendly soccer match.

Federation spokesman Gerti Carcani says Panucci filed a lawsuit in Tirana court asking for 100,000 euros ($116,000) for having his image damaged.

Bujar Nishani, Albania’s president until last year, wrote on his Facebook page on May 29: “Kosovo-Albania (3:0). Bravo Kosovo! Panucci, a charlatan who is destroying what had been built up.”

Judge Anila Karanxha will decide in 30 days whether to proceed with a trial after hearing from the defendant.

Panucci, a 45-year-old Italian, has been coaching Albania’s national team since July 2017.

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