Report: TFC's Insigne leaves training after dispute with interim coach

Lorenzo Insigne wasn't happy with what he perceived to be poor treatment at a Toronto FC training session this week.

The Italian stormed off the pitch in the middle of Thursday's session after a heated dispute with interim TFC coach Terry Dunfield, sources told Joshua Kloke and Tom Bogert of The Athletic.

Insigne reportedly took exception to Dunfield's decision to pair him with 20-year-old forward Deandre Kerr during a drill.

As Insigne walked off the pitch, the former Napoli star informed Dunfield, who TFC named as temporary coach after firing Bob Bradley in June, that he'd be the one to decide whether he plays this weekend against the Columbus Crew, The Athletic adds.

The 32-year-old was reportedly heard complaining about his treatment at the Canadian club compared to other stars in Major League Soccer and made derogatory remarks about TFC.

Despite the reported outburst, a Toronto FC spokesperson said Insigne, who returned to training Friday, was scheduled to travel with the rest of the squad to Columbus and that he'll be available for selection for Saturday's contest.

Thursday's practice isn't the first time Insigne has stormed out of a training session since joining Toronto in the summer of 2022, sources told The Athletic.

TFC - second-last in the Eastern Conference - have lost seven games in a row since Dunfield was appointed on June 26.