Totti in Di Canio row

Di Canio, now a TV pundit, started the spat when he branded the way Totti reacted after being substituted against Internazionale at the weekend "an absolute disgrace."

Totti was clearly upset when he was replaced by Mirko Vucinic in the 70th minute of the game, with the substitute then going on to score the only goal of the game.

"I find it incredible what he (Totti) did when he was substituted. It was an absolute disgrace," Di Canio said on Mediaset Premium.

"All of us are angry in similar cases, but I would have never been allowed to leave the field in that way. It's disrespectful to your team-mates who remain on the field. The job of captain is to stay close to the team.

"A true leader would have remained on the sidelines and cheered his team on, not to leave your comrades, but he has proven himself selfish."

However, Totti fired back at Di Canio with a statement on his official website.

"I understand him (Di Canio)," said Totti. "In order for him to put his stamp on television and make himself noted he has to speak about me.

"On the other hand, he is an expert on flags and has waved many in his short career."

The latter statement, although somewhat lost in translation, was a dig at Di Canio's 11 transfers during his career while also slyly connoting Di Canio infamous links with the Italian fascist movement.