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Football

28th Apr 2018

Roma president speaks out about fan violence before Liverpool game

"A couple of f***ing morons who bring the rest of us down"

Reuben Pinder

He has condemned the violence in no uncertain terms.

Liverpool blew Roma away in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final earlier this week, but the 5-2 victory’s importance pales in comparison to what preceded it. A gang of Roma fans, armed with belts, attacked innocent home fans outside the ground.

A 53-year-old man was left hospitalised by the violence, and two Roma fans were arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.

AS Roma issued an official statement soon after, condemning the violent behaviour in no uncertain terms, stating that: “There is no place for this type of vile behaviour in football and the club is now cooperating with Liverpool Football Club, UEFA and the authorities.”

Since then, their president has spoken again about the incident.

Jim Pallotta, the Roma president, described the offenders as “a couple of fucking morons who bring the rest of us down.”

He continued, lamenting the way the violent group had tarnished the legacy of the historic club.

In light of the incident, his comments are necessary, and seem to come from the heart. It’s important to recognise the despicable nature of what those violent fans did, and also to remember that no idiotic minority represents an entire fanbase.

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