Franko was alright with you if you were alright with him. And the thing with him is that he knows how to push someone's buttons if they start messing around with him. Simple formula is if you don't want to engage with him then simply don't bother.
I remember the final couple of threads that resulted in the ban. Both Franco and the other party were banned. However one was allowed back even though I felt they were far worse in the little arguments.