Roma have accused their former player Nicolo Zaniolo of hospitalising two of their youth team stars after entering the club’s dressing room on Monday evening.
The Serie A club initially brought the alleged incident to light shortly after their Primavera championship semi-final against Fiorentina – the club that Zaniolo is currently on loan at from Turkish side Galatasaray.
After Fiorentina claimed a 2-1 victory to book their place in the final of the youth team competition, Zaniolo is said to have gone to Roma’s locker room, having made 128 appearances for the club between 2018 and 2023.
In a statement released on Monday night, Roma alleged that Zaniolo ‘engaged in provocative behaviour’ and physically struck two of their players.
They have now doubled down on the claim, while providing further details on the alleged altercation, as the club accused Zaniolo of being ‘visibly intoxicated’ and urinating on their property.
Roma’s extraordinary statement on Tuesday night read: ‘On the evening of May 26, following the Primavera semi-final match Fiorentina vs AS Roma at Viola Park, Nicolò Zaniolo (Fiorentina first team) unlawfully entered the Roma dressing room area accompanied by an associate, despite lacking accreditation.
Nicolo Zaniolo (pictured) has been accused of hospitalising two of Roma’s youth team players
Zaniolo made 128 appearances for Roma between 2018 and 2023
Zaniolo spent the 2023-24 season on loan at Aston Villa, and is now on loan at Fiorentina
‘Witnesses report Zaniolo appeared visibly intoxicated. He urinated in Roma facilities, provoked players, and, without verbal exchange, physically struck Mattia Almaviva and violently pushed Marco Litti against a bench.
‘Litti had recently undergone shoulder surgery. Both players required hospitalization: Almaviva received a 10-day recovery prognosis, Litti 21 days.
‘AS Roma stands firmly by its youth players and is appalled by the violent and unjustifiable behavior witnessed at Viola Park.
‘We trust that the institutions will act decisively to ensure accountability and protect the values of Italian football.’
The FIGC – Italy’s football federation – has launched an investigation, and Zaniolo could face a lengthy ban if found guilty of any wrongdoing.
Zaniolo, who spent the 2023-24 season on loan at Aston Villa, denied the allegations made against him on Monday, insisting that he left Roma’s dressing room after being subjected to insults.
Zaniolo’s statement read: ‘At the end of the match, I went into the locker room to congratulate the Fiorentina lads, then passed through the Roma room to salute and compliment them on their season.
‘However, at a certain point they started to insult me, so at that stage, to avoid the situation degenerating, I preferred to simply leave.’
He released a further statement on Tuesday afternoon on his Instagram Story where he apologised for his behaviour and admitted to losing his temper.
‘I want to apologise with all my heart for what happened yesterday,’ Zaniolo wrote.
‘I know that I reacted badly and I take full responsibility. I went there with the sole intent of giving a positive sign, to show my solidarity with the lads in a difficult moment after the match.
Zaniolo initially claimed he had left Roma’s dressing room after being insulted, but later admitted to losing his temper before Roma made fresh allegations against him
‘Unfortunately, I was verbally provoked by a young lad and, my mistake, lost my temper. It is a mistake that weighs on me, especially as I know that I ought to be setting an example to the younger players.
‘However, I wish to clarify that the facts of the matter are very different to the version given and on my part, other than a verbal discussion, there was no physically aggressive behaviour.
‘I know that I left some people down with this incident, but I hope you can understand that it was not my intention to disrespect anyone. Having said that, I renew my apology.
‘Now as a man, a sportsman, and a person who loves this world, I want to rebuild and look forward with humility.’
Zaniolo is yet to respond to Roma’s latest accusations.
