Leyton Orient President Appears to Kick Coach, Club Play Down Incident

Leyton Orient have played down an incident in which club president Francesco Becchetti appeared to kick assistant coach Andy Hessenthaler.

The incident occurred immediately after Orient's 3-2 win over Portsmouth on Boxing Day, but the club have released a statement explaining the bizarre footage, according to PA Sport Report, via Eurosport :

"

Mr Becchetti and Mr Hessenthaler would like to clarify the reports in the media following the Boxing Day game.

The event reported in the media was very much in good humour for both the president and assistant manager and part of an ongoing and good natured exchange between the two over the past few weeks.

There was absolutely nothing untoward about the exchange and the two men get along very well professionally on the pitch and personally off the pitch.

"

Hessenthaler also dismissed the incident, telling Sky Sports News, via Eurosport:

"

It's a little bit of banter—a bit of stuff that's been going on for the last few weeks between us and probably looked worse than it was.

He's a passionate guy and we all are. We're all desperate to win. It was a little bit of fun and games at the end. He was getting involved and we've got to concentrate on what we were doing.

"

Becchetti was sitting behind the dugout as Orient came from behind to claim an impressive win.

[YouTube: Football72, h/t Eurosport]