Investigation Launched into Alleged Brawl Involving Zaniolo After Fiorentina-Roma Match
On Tuesday, the FIGC Prosecutors Office, the governing body for football in Italy, initiated an investigation into an alleged brawl following the Primavera league match between the Under-19 teams of Fiorentina and Roma. The details surrounding the incident remain unclear, but the situation has garnered significant attention.
According to a statement from Roma, Nicolò Zaniolo allegedly entered the Roma Primavera locker room after the match, where he provoked some players and subsequently physically assaulted two of them. However, Zaniolo has a different version of events. In a statement released through Fiorentina, he asserted that his intention was merely to greet the players in the locker room. Zaniolo claims he was met with insults from the Roma players and subsequently left the scene without incident.
Eyewitness accounts further complicate the narrative. Journalist Giada Giacca, who was covering the match for Sportitalia, reported hearing screams and sounds indicative of a brawl emanating from the locker room, suggesting that there may indeed have been a physical confrontation.
Zaniolo, now 25, has a colorful history with Roma, having played for the club from 2018 until 2023. During his tenure, he established himself as one of Italy's most promising young talents, earning praise from fans and club officials alike. However, as time progressed, his relationship with the supporters and the club diminished, culminating in his transfer to Turkish club Galatasaray in 2023.
In 2024, Zaniolo returned to the Italian league, first with Atalanta and subsequently with Fiorentina, where he completed the last season. This latest incident could further complicate his already tumultuous relationship with Roma fans and the footballing community in Italy.
The FIGC's investigation will look into the events that transpired in the locker room and determine the appropriate actions based on their findings, as the football world closely watches the implications of this high-profile case.
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